Manny Pacquiao will make a sensational return to boxing with a WBC welterweight world title fight against Mario Barrios next month.
‘Pacman’ will end his four-year hiatus from the professional ring at the age of 46 to challenge a champion 16 years his junior.
Pacquiao will fight for a world title at 46 in JulyRyan Hafey / PBCThe lone eight-weight world champion hasn’t boxed professionally since losing on points to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021.
However, Pacquiao has been actively competing in the exhibition sphere since, labouring to a draw against Rukiya Anpo last year.
Despite his long lay-off and advanced age, the recent Hall of Fame inductee entered the WBC welterweight rankings at No.5.
But WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman admitted there had been an error, and he has since been withdrawn from the division’s top 40.
Pacquiao, who has won 62 of his 72 contests (39 KOs), stands to become the oldest ever king of the 147lbs division with a win.
Pacquiao vs Barrios: Date and how to follow
This WBC welterweight title fight will take place on Saturday, July 19.
It will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Timings for the card are yet to be announced, but main event ringwalks are expected to be around 4am in the UK.
Live stream details and PPV price will follow in due course.
talkSPORT will be across the action through fight week, and talkSPORT.com will have all the build-up and reaction.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Barrios will defend his WBC welterweight title against PacquiaoGettyPacquiao vs Barrios: Undercard
Subject to change…
MAIN EVENT: Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios – for Barrios’ WBC world welterweight title Sebastian Fundora vs Tim Tszyu Isaac Cruz vs Angel Fierro Brandon Figueroa vs Joet Gonzalez David Picasso vs Kyonosuke Kameda Eumir Marcial vs Alexis Gaytan Mark Magsayo vs Jorge Mata Emmanuel Pacquiao Jr vs TBA Pacquiao is widely recognised as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers of all timeGetty Images - GettyPacquiao vs Barrios: What has been said?
talkSPORT’s Spencer Oliver bashed Pacquiao’s comeback live on air when the announcement of this fight was made.
“Pacquiao looked a shell of his former self in his last fight against Ugas,” said the former European champion.
“He has had a long career and turned pro in 1995, he’s a great but he’s coming back now.
“But the biggest disgrace of this is that the WBC are sanctioning the fight for a world title, which is just wrong.
“I think it’s a young man’s sport, the inactivity and way her performed in his last fight. I don’t like it.
“Let’s just leave it there. But the governing bodies should only sanction fights if they are in the top fifteen.
“He’s been retired for four years so how does that warrant him jumping the queue and fighting Barrios?
“It’s wrong in so many ways. The system is broken with the WBC allowing that to happen.”
But incredibly, former rival Yordenis Ugas believes he will be a real threat to Barrios despite his age.
“It could be a lose-lose situation. If he wins, people will say, ‘Pacquiao was old.’ If he loses, they’ll say, ‘You lost to an old man,'” he said.
“Barrios is taking a big risk. I fought Pacquiao when he was coming off a huge win.
“He had just beaten the top welterweight at the time in 2019. This time it’s harder.
“Pacquiao’s coming off a four-year layoff and a loss. We’ll see. It’ll be a good fight, though.”
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