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Posted on 05/09/2025 8:33:03 AM PDT by DFG
Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao will end his nearly four-year retirement to face Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship on July 19 in Las Vegas, sources confirmed to ESPN on Thursday.
The fight will be available via PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view.
Pacquiao, 46, last fought in August 2021 when he lost a unanimous decision against Yordenis Ugas for the WBA welterweight championship. After the loss, Pacquiao announced his retirement on social media to focus primarily on his political career. But boxing's first and only eight-division world champion has kept an eye on the sport that made him a household name.
Rumors of his return have circulated over the past year. In July 2024, Pacquiao competed in an exhibition boxing match against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo at Super RIZIN 3. Pacquiao's name has been tied to a return fight with Barrios since late last year.
At last week's Canelo Alvarez-William Scull fight in Saudi Arabia, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told Boxing King Media that the plan was for Barrios to defend the title against Pacquiao in the summer, while also noting Pacquiao had already been cleared to compete by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The WBC has written rules that state a former champion is allowed to request a title fight after coming out of retirement.
"At this time, Mario Barrios is going to face Manny Pacquiao in July," Sulaiman said. "That's a tremendous fight."
Pacquiao is set to be inducted into boxing's Hall of Fame next month. He is also in the midst of a close senate race in the Philippines, where he previously served as a senator from 2016 to 2022.
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
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Love me some Manny. And his trainer. Freddie, pronounced “preddy” in the Philippines, I assume.
“Love me some Manny. “
He’s polite, respectful and is not a loud mouthed asshole.
Manny is a great guy, but l’m guessing there’s a big payday involved helping him come out to retirement.
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