Pacquiao's last fight was a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, on August 21, 2021. Since then, he's had a brief stint in politics, serving as a senator and even running for president in the Philippines.
Now, the former eight-division world champion is hitting the gym hard. He's been sharing photos and videos of his training on social media, showing he's serious about his comeback. Pacquiao's using Rocky Balboa-inspired messages to motivate himself and his fans.
"Life hits you hard, but what matters is how many blows you can take and keep moving forward," Pacquiao said, channeling his inner Rocky.
The boxing world is excited about Pacquiao's return, but there are worries too. Some fans are concerned about his physical condition and age, wondering if he can still compete at the highest level after such a long break.
Pacquiao's not just doing this for himself. He wants to set an example of resilience and show people they can fight back against tough times. But there's also a personal goal driving him.
World Boxing Council (WBC) president Mauricio Sulaiman revealed to the LA Times that Pacquiao reached out to him with a special request.
"He called me and said 'help me fulfill my dream of retiring with the WBC, which is where I started at flyweight'," Sulaiman explained.
The WBC got to work, and now Pacquiao's got his shot at the welterweight title. It's a full-circle moment for the boxer who began his incredible journey as a flyweight with the same organization.
As July 19 gets closer, all eyes will be on Las Vegas to see if Pacquiao can defy the odds one more time and cap off his legendary career with another world title.