Pacquiao retired after losing to Yordenis Ugas, the former WBA welterweight champion. Since then, he's kept busy with exhibition bouts against mixed martial artists DK Yoo in 2022 and Rukiya Anpo in 2024.
Now, with just a month to go before his return to professional boxing, Pacquiao faces a tough test in Barrios. The Filipino legend knows he'll need to prepare well for the taller champion.
"I have a lot of things to do in training camp,"Pacquiao said during a recent media scrum.
While focused on Barrios, Pacquiao's also thinking about future fights. When asked about a potential clash with Gervonta Davis, the WBA world lightweight champion, he showed interest.
"I like that [fight], I like that. I mean I like that but you know, let's finish first this one because this one is a taller champion like that, so I have a lot of things to do in training camp."
Davis, 30, from Baltimore, Maryland, has held world titles in three divisions and remains unbeaten since his pro debut in 2013. He's currently preparing for a rematch with Lamont Roach Jr after their first fight ended in a controversial split decision draw.
In that bout, Davis took a knee in the ninth round, but referee Steve Willis didn't rule it an official knockdown. This led Roach, nicknamed 'The Reaper', to argue he should have won the fight.
As Pacquiao gears up for his comeback, fans can't help but wonder if a showdown with Davis might be on the horizon. For now, all eyes are on the Filipino icon's return against Barrios on July 19.