Manny Pacquiao is getting ready to step back into the ring at 46 years old. The Filipino boxing legend will face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao's long-time trainer Freddie Roach wasn't sure about this comeback at first. The pair have worked together for 16 years and 34 fights. Roach didn't want Pacquiao to risk his legacy.
"I really don't want to see him make a comeback, because I think he's already been great. He's already done everything he can do. But he says, 'I just have one more in me.' He says, 'Yeah, I just want to show the world that I was for real and I am for real.'"
But something changed Roach's mind. It wasn't Pacquiao who convinced him - it was Pacquiao's wife.
"One day, he came down to a show near here, and he sat with me, and his wife sat with me. And the most unusual thing that happened that day was that his wife said she wants to see him in one more fight. I've never seen that. I've never heard that or seen that from her in any aspect. You know, she was always 'Retire. Retire. Retire.' But we're sitting at ringside and she says, 'I think he's ready for that last fight.'"
Pacquiao's last professional fight was a loss to Yordenis Ugas in June 2021. He's already the oldest welterweight champion ever, winning the WBA title at 40 years old in 2019 against Keith Thurman. Now, he could extend that record to 46 if he beats Barrios.
Roach has a clear plan for this comeback fight. He wants to make sure Pacquiao goes out on top.
"We're going for one fight. We're going for the best fight.' It's somebody that he can dominate. And I think that he can do it."
The boxing world will watch closely as 'Pac-Man' tries to turn back the clock one more time. With Roach in his corner and his wife's support, Pacquiao aims to prove he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
