Pacquiao hasn't fought since August 2021 when he lost his WBA welterweight title to Yordenis Ugas. Now, after nearly four years away, he's ready to lace up the gloves again.
When asked about the 16-year age gap between him and the 30-year-old Barrios, Pacquiao had a simple message. In an interview with Fighthype, he said:
"Don't worry about it."
Pacquiao's confidence doesn't surprise anyone who's followed his career. He's an eight-weight world champion who's beaten some of the best, including Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Mosley, and Tim Bradley.
Barrios won't be a pushover, though. He's got 32 fights under his belt with only 2 losses. He's fought tough opponents like Yordenis Ugas, Gervonta Davis, and Keith Thurman.
Some fans and boxing insiders have voiced concerns about Pacquiao's comeback. Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank and Pacquiao's former promoter, doesn't think it's a smart move.
If Pacquiao wins, he'll make history. He'll become the second oldest world champion ever, behind only Bernard Hopkins who won a title at 49. He'll even surpass George Foreman's record.
Pacquiao's return has got the boxing world buzzing. Will the Filipino icon prove he's still got it, or has Father Time finally caught up with him? We'll find out on July 19 in Las Vegas.