Manny Pacquiao's comeback fight ended in a draw, but the boxing world's already buzzing about his next move. The 44-year-old Filipino legend stepped into the ring with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday, July 19, showing he's still got the speed and skills that made him a star.
Pacquiao's advisor, Sean Gibbons, has hinted that Rolando "Rolly" Romero might be next in line. Romero, fresh off a win against Ryan Garcia at the Fatal Fury event in May, seems eager for the challenge.
"A Hall of Famer on my resume, who wouldn't want that? That's the easiest way to get into the Hall of Fame, right?"
Romero told boxingscene on Monday, clearly excited about the potential matchup.
The Pacquiao-Barrios fight got mixed reactions. Some critics questioned the 16-year age gap between the fighters, while others celebrated Pacquiao's return. Despite the controversy, many analysts and boxers thought Pacquiao deserved the win on their scorecards. If he'd won, Pacquiao would've become the second oldest boxer in history to grab a major world title.
After the fight, Pacquiao kept things short with the media. He gave a thumbs up when asked about getting back in the ring, confirming he's not done yet. Later, he took to social media to share his thoughts:
"Even after all these years, I felt great in the ring. I thank God for the strength and grace to continue competing at this level"
Pacquiao also showed his humble side, praising his opponent:
"To Mario Barrios, you are a true warrior. It was an honor to share the ring with you."
While Romero seems to be the frontrunner, there's talk about other potential opponents like Floyd Mayweather and Gervonta Davis. One thing's for sure - Pacquiao's very motivated to keep boxing and he's ready for whatever challenge comes next.
