Manny Pacquiao is getting ready to step back into the ring. The boxing legend will face Mario Barrios on July 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, marking his return from retirement.
Pacquiao's comeback isn't about the money. He's made it clear that he's in it for the love of the sport.
"I'm not coming back for money but for glory," Pacquiao said. "I love fighting. I missed training, the media and promoting a fight, being cheered by millions of fans."
Despite his claim, Pacquiao's return will certainly bring in a hefty paycheck. He's set to earn a base of $12 million for the fight, with the potential to rake in up to $17 or $18 million when all is said and done. On top of that, he'll get a big chunk of the pay-per-view profits.
These numbers are impressive, but they're not unusual for Pacquiao. Over his career, he's earned more than $770 million in the ring. His biggest payday came from his 2015 fight against Floyd Mayweather, which brought in a whopping $120 million for Pacquiao and $180 million for Mayweather.
Pacquiao's last fight in 2021 against Yordenis Ugas for the WBC welterweight title earned him around $5 million. Now, at 44 years old, he's set to more than double that figure.
The Filipino boxer's return has got people talking, and not just about the money. Some worry about the risks of coming back to such a tough sport at his age. But Pacquiao seems eager to prove he's still got what it takes.
As the fight date approaches, all eyes will be on Pacquiao. Will he show he's still the box office draw he once was? Can he add another victory to his impressive record? We'll find out on July 19 at the MGM Grand.
