Manny Pacquiao will get back in the ring for a professional fight. The 46-year-old Filipino boxer will face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday, July 19, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao's return comes after he retired in 2021 following a loss to former WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas. The eight-division world champion now aims to make history once again.
If Pacquiao wins, he'll break his own record as the oldest world welterweight champion in boxing history. He set the current record in 2019 at 40 years old when he beat Keith Thurman for the WBA title at 147lbs.
Sean Gibbons, Pacquiao's promoter, shared some interesting plans for the future. He told World Boxing News about Pacquiao's dream fight:
"When he beats Mario Barrios, line them up. His dream fight is Gervonta Davis. He loves that fight. He tried to get that fight for a couple of years. Gervonta kept talking about how he didn't want to fight him at 145. Then he goes and gets smoked by Lamont Roach. So Manny Pacquiao can get this belt, and it's going to be a wonderful ride out."
'Tank' Davis, 30, from Baltimore, has his own plans. He's set for a rematch with Lamont Roach Jr in August after their first encounter ended in controversy. There's also talk of an exhibition bout with Jake Paul before the year ends.
Pacquiao's return has got fans buzzing about his chances to write another chapter in boxing history. The fight against Barrios will show if the Filipino legend still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
