Manny Pacquiao's getting ready to step back into the ring. The Filipino boxing legend will face WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao, now 46, hasn't fought since June 2021. In that bout, he lost to Yordenis Ugas, who held the WBA world welterweight title at the time. After the defeat, Pacquiao hung up his gloves to focus on his political career in the Philippines.
If Pacquiao wins against Barrios, he'll set a new record as the oldest world welterweight champion. He already holds that title, having beaten Keith Thurman six years ago at the age of 40.
Shawn Porter, a two-time welterweight champion himself, has been keeping an eye on Pacquiao's comeback. Porter watched Pacquiao train recently and came away impressed.
He's really convinced himself that even though he's been playing basketball and badminton and you know all these other things that he stayed in shape enough to come back to the game, I watched him train like last week or the week before and amazing to see him still move and bounce and do all the same things that he was doing in camp years ago when I was with him … I think he's healthy, I think he's going to be strong and you know what they say. the last thing to go is that power, Mario Barrios has the perfect style for him.
Porter shared these thoughts in a recent interview. He believes Pacquiao looks healthy and strong, with his legendary power likely still intact.
Pacquiao's been staying active with basketball, badminton, and other activities. He feels these have kept him in good enough shape to return to boxing.
The fight against Barrios will show if Pacquiao's confidence is well-placed. It's a big test for the Filipino icon, coming out of retirement at 46 to face a current world champion.
Porter thinks Barrios' style will suit Pacquiao well. We'll find out if he's right when these two step into the ring on July 19.
