By Julian-Ray Fortaleza
Las Vegas, July 19, MGM Grand – After nearly four years in retirement, boxing legend Manny Pacquiao will step back into the ring at age 46 to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title. It’s a bout fueled not only by nostalgia but by the tantalizing possibility of history.
Legacy on the Line
Pacquiao, the only fighter in history to win world titles in eight weight divisions, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June 2025 . His last major victory, a stunning split-decision win over Keith Thurman in 2019, made him the oldest ever super-welterweight champion. But his final professional fight, a clear loss to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021, revealed age-related decline .
The Opponent: Mario Barrios
Twenty-six-year-younger, 6‑foot Barrios boasts a 29‑2‑1 record, with a blend of size and power that makes him the archetype of today’s welterweight champion . He secured the interim WBC title by upsetting Ugas in 2023, later ascending to full champion after Terence Crawford vacated the belt.
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