Manny Pacquiao's getting ready to step back into the ring after four years away. The 46-year-old Filipino boxing legend will face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao's last professional fight was in June 2021 when he lost to Yordenis Ugas. Since then, he's kept busy with exhibition matches against DK Yoo in 2022 and Rukiya Anpo earlier this year.
For this comeback, Pacquiao's reunited with his long-time coach Freddie Roach. The two have a history of working together for 34 fights over 16 years. Their partnership hit a rough patch in 2018, but they've patched things up for this fight.
On the other side of the ring, Mario Barrios is gearing up for his second title defense. The 30-year-old Texan's last fight against Abel Ramos ended in a split decision draw. Now, he's facing a boxing legend in Pacquiao.
Robert Garcia, a highly-respected trainer who's worked with big names like Anthony Joshua and Nonito Donaire, shared his thoughts on the fight with ESNEWS. He's picking Barrios to win:
"I gotta go with Barrios, he's young, he's the champion, Pacquiao's what like [46] already? At that age, that's too much, that's like me getting in the ring. I can't I'm 49."
Garcia thinks Pacquiao's age will be a big factor. At 46, Pacquiao's facing a tough challenge against a younger champion.
Pacquiao's confirmed his return, and he's aiming to make history. The fight's set to be a big event, with fans eager to see if the Filipino legend can turn back the clock one more time.
