Credited from: CHANNELNEWSASIA
Manny Pacquiao has officially announced his return to boxing, set to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas. The 46-year-old Filipino boxing icon aims to reclaim the title and become the oldest welterweight champion, previously holding this record at 40 years old in 2019, according to Channel News Asia and BBC.
Pacquiao, who boasts an exceptional record of 62 wins, eight losses, and two draws, announced his fight via social media, stating emphatically, "I'm back. Let's make history!" This fight marks nearly four years since his last professional bout in August 2021, when he lost to Yordenis Ugas for the WBA welterweight title, according to Reuters and Africanews.
Having served as a senator in the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, Pacquiao's career has been marked by both athletic success and political pursuits; he even ran for president in 2022. His comeback follows a recent political defeat, which was announced just hours before his fight announcement, according to The Jakarta Post and Africanews.
Pacquiao is set to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025, underscoring his profound impact on the sport. His challenger, Mario Barrios, has a record of 29 wins, with 18 knockouts, and previously retained his title in a draw against Abel Ramos in November 2022, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.