Manny Pacquiao plans to step back into the ring at 46 years old. The Filipino boxing legend will face WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday, July 19, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao retired four years ago after a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas. Now, he's looking to make history once again. If he wins in July, he'll break his own record as the oldest world welterweight champion in boxing history. He set that mark in 2019 when he beat Keith Thurman for the WBA title.
Roy Jones Jr., a boxing legend himself, thinks Pacquiao's got a shot. In a recent interview with Prime Casino, Jones said:
"The fact that Pacquiao can get in shape and go 12 rounds at 46 years old is beating most people right there. How many people can do that? There's people that are 26 who can't hardly go one round, and you're doing it at 46, double their age. You got to take your hat off to Manny. I give Manny a chance, you always gotta give him a chance. I'm backing him."
Jones Jr. isn't just impressed by Pacquiao's fitness. He thinks the "PacMan" has a real chance of winning and is openly supporting him in the fight.
Barrios won't be an easy opponent, though. He got upgraded from interim to full champion last year when Terence Crawford left the division. In his last fight, Barrios held onto his title with a split draw against Abel Ramos.
The fight is set to be a huge event, with fans eager to see if Pacquiao can turn back the clock one more time. It's a tough ask at 46, but if anyone can do it, it's Manny Pacquiao.
