Article by David Istrate – published Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 18:57 / Updated Wednesday, May 21, 2025 19:05
The boxer Manny Pacquiao (47 years old), withdrawn from the activity in 2021, will return to the ring in the second half of July and will fight against Mario Barrios (29 years), the WBC champion in the semi -middle category.
More than a week ago, ESPN announced that Manny Pacquiao wants to return to work And to enter the ring again, 4 years after he retired from the professional box. The information was confirmed, and the Philippine athlete announced the date of his return in the sport he practiced for more than two decades.
Manny Pacquiao, a duel with Mario Barrios for the WBC World Title in the Semmi -Middle
After missing the chance of a new term in the Senate of his country, Pacquiao made an Instagram post that formalized the return to the ring:
“I came back. On July 19, I will return to the ring to face the WBC champion in the Mario Barrios semi -middle category, in MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Let's make history!”, Wrote the 47 -year -old athlete.
Therefore, on July 19, Pacquiao will fight Barrios for the world title in the semi -middle category. The American has 29 victories, 2 defeats and an equal, recorded on November 15, 2024, after confrontation with Abel Ramos.
Instead, The Philippine boxer has a balance of 62 wins, 8 defeats and 2 drawsbeing one of the most titled boxers in history. Over the years, Pacquiao has won 12 world titles in 8 different categories, being the only boxer with such performance.
His last fight took place on August 21, 2021, when he was defeated in 12 rounds, by unanimous decision, by the Cuban Yornis Ugas.
Mario Barrios, Manny Pacquiao's next opponent/Photo: Imago Images
Amir Khan: “I don't know how much Manny is going. It could be a complicated fight.”
Amir Khan, the former British boxer, spoke about the importance of this fight for Mario Barrios.
“It's a fantastic fight for Mario, it needs such a big duel. Will be paid well and will fight with a legend like Manny Pacquiao, who would say not to that?
Mario deserves this fight because every athlete wants an important check. It will be fantastic for him. It's a very good boxer.
I don't know how much Manny is going. If they were at the top of the career then I would say that Manny Pacquiao would win. But this could be a complicated fight for Pacquiao, “said Khan, quoted by Sky Sports.
