Manny Pacquiao announces boxing comeback with world title fight against Mario Barrios

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Manny Pacquiao is one of the greatest boxers of all-time, so his unexpected return to the sport is sure to excite boxing fans and punters all over the world. After a venture into politics, the Filipino icon is stepping back into the ring.

Pacquiao's record from 72 fights stands at 62 wins, 8 losses and 2 draws, with 39 of those wins by KO. He has won twelve major world titles and is the only boxer in history to have been world champion in eight different weight divisions.

However, his decision to come out of retirement at the age of 46, and four years after his previous fight, is sure to raise eyebrows. Especially considering the fact that he has been catapulted straight into a world title bout.

Pacquiao's opponent will be the Mexican-American boxer Mario Barrios, who currently holds the WBC welterweight belt. Barrios, who is 16 years younger than Pacquiao, has a professional record of 29-2-1, with 18 knockouts.

Barrios won the WBC interim belt with a 2023 victory over Yordenis Ugas, who defeated Pacquiao on points in his last fight in 2021. This will be Barrios' second defense of his welterweight world title, after beating Abel Ramos on the undercard of Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson in 2024.

July 19 is set to be a bumper day of boxing, with Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk due to face off for the undisputed world heavyweight championship crown on the same date.

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