Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion, last fought in 2021 when he lost to Yordenis Ugas. Despite the long layoff, he's eager to prove he's still got what it takes.
"Even with my layoff, my passion is still there," Pacquiao said. "I want to give the fans what they want. I'm always bringing surprises."
The Filipino icon faces a tough challenge in Barrios, who's 17 years his junior. 'El Azteca' became the full WBC champion after Terence Crawford vacated the title. He's since defeated Ugas and fought to a draw in his first title defense.
Barrios stands as the favorite with -275 odds, while Pacquiao comes in as the underdog at +210. The champion has a four-inch reach advantage and towers over Pacquiao by more than six inches.
"Hats off to Pacquiao for daring to be great," Barrios said. "But it's my time now. I'm not looking for the knockout, but I'm coming in with bad intentions."
Despite the physical disadvantages and his age, Pacquiao remains confident. "I'm OK being the underdog. I've been the underdog many times," he stated. "We're going to show the world that boxing is still alive. Manny Pacquiao is still here."
Many analysts predict Barrios will inflict enough damage to force a stoppage, possibly by TKO in round 8. The key question is whether Pacquiao can show his old form or if we'll see an older version of the boxing icon.
The undercard features some action-packed bouts. Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu will rematch for the WBC and WBO junior middleweight titles after their brutal, blood-soaked first encounter ended in a split decision win for Fundora.
Brandon Figueroa recently triumphed over Joet González in a tough and electrifying fight. Both fighters showed heart, skill, and resilience, but Figueroa's courage and key offensive moments secured him the win.
Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz is in deep training for his upcoming fight against Omar Salcido. Gary Russell Jr. also picked up a TKO victory over Hugo Castañeda, knocking him down multiple times and showcasing masterful body movement.
This event is more than just a title fight; it's a test of time for one of boxing's greatest. Pacquiao's return to the ring at 46 years old has got fans and pundits alike wondering if he can overcome the odds one more time.