Manny Pacquiao is stepping back into the ring after a five-year break. The Filipino boxing legend will face Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas later this year.
Pacquiao left the sport in 2018 to focus on his political career. Now, he's ready to lace up the gloves again. The former eight-division world champion has an impressive record of 62 wins, with 38 of those coming by knockout. He's also had 8 losses and 2 draws in his career.
The fight will take place at the MGM Grand, a venue that's seen many of Pacquiao's biggest moments. Fans will have to stay up late for this one. The main event won't start until 11 p.m. ET, with preliminary fights kicking off at 5 p.m. ET.
Pacquiao told reporters he's excited to feel the rush of competition again.
"I want to be back and feel that excitement I always felt when I got into the ring," Pacquiao said.
His opponent, Mexican fighter Mario Barrios, is the favorite to win. The bookmakers think the younger Barrios has an edge over the 44-year-old Pacquiao.
But counting out Pacquiao has never been a smart move. The Filipino fighter has surprised fans and experts many times before. His speed and power have made him one of boxing's greatest legends.
DAZN will broadcast the fight. If you're planning to watch, you might want to take a nap first. It'll be a late night, but for boxing fans, it should be worth staying up for.
Pacquiao's return is sure to create a buzz in the boxing world. Will he still have the skills that made him a champion in eight weight classes? Or will the five-year layoff prove too much to overcome? We'll find out when these two step into the ring at the MGM Grand.
