“I’M back.”
With those simple two words, former eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao announced yesterday through his social media platforms that he is indeed coming out of a four-year retirement and returning to the ring.
“On July 19, I return to the ring to face WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Let’s make history!” exclaimed Pacquiao, together with a colorful poster of the comeback fight.
The announcement formalized what his global fans and critics already knew – or dreaded – that despite no longer being a spring chicken at 46, he would face his biggest challenge yet, the much younger (30) and taller Mexican-American champion.
Abetting what could be his final shot at boxing glory is the Mexico-based World Boxing Council, whose president, Mauricio Sulaiman, gave his blessings to the Pinoy ring icon, having elevated him to No. 5 in the world body’s ring ratings.
The announcement came four days after Pacquiao arrived in Los Angeles and reunited with his longtime American trainer, Freddie Roach. They will conspire once again on how to overcome formidable odds in facing the dangerous Barrios, who has a record of 29 wins, 18 by knockout, two losses and one draw.
Pacquiao has a tally of 62 wins (39 KOs), eight losses and two draws.
This is familiar dangerous territory for both the fighter and the celebrated Hall of Fame guru, whose remarkable partnership since 2001 has resulted in some of the most memorable and remarkable wins in pro boxing for over two decades.
It is also typical bravado from the rags-to-riches Filipino boxing hero, who aims to become one of the world’s oldest boxing champions, although he hasn’t had a pro fight in the last four years since losing his WBA super welterweight title by unanimous decision to shrewd counter-punching Cuban Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
Before a stunned predominantly Pacquiao gallery, Ugas outwitted and outclassed Pacman with his clever stick-and-run strategy in wresting the crown at the jammed T-Mobile Arena on Aug. 8, 2021 in Las Vegas.
That setback seemed to have foretold the career fortunes of the world-renowned Filipino boxer, who lost in his presidential bid the following year and is now returning to the ring from a losing campaign as a senator in the country’s midterm polls.
Pacquiao looked sharp and happy to be inside Roach’s Wild Card gym, now regarded as a historical landmark in the City of Angels in Hollywood, showing no stress at all but irrepressible joy despite coming from the recent political rigors.
In Pacquiao’s aspirations in trying to turn back Father Time, ESPN boxing analyst Andreas Hale noted in his article posted on the website yesterday that there were only two other boxers who have won world title fights at 46 years or older.
“(They are) George Foreman (46 years, 102 days) and Bernard Hopkins, who won four title fights after his 46th birthday and was 49 years, 94 days old in his last title win.”
Hale explained the difference between Pacman and the two ageing American world titlists.
“Foreman had incredible power at his advanced age to take out opponents, while Hopkins relied more on technique and defense than athleticism to carry him to victories in his 40s,” he said.
“Pacquiao relies heavily on athleticism to win fights, and his once-blazing speed was visibly on the decline in his last fight (against Ugas),” Haley noted.
“But while Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) is more than formidable, Father Time will be the most difficult challenge for Pacquiao to overcome inside the ring,” he concluded.
