Manny Pacquiao could still return to face WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios.
It would be Pacquiao’s first professional fight since his 2021 loss to Yordenis Ugas. Pacquiao had a three-round exhibition against Rukiya Anpo last year, where he was outboxed. At 45, Pacquiao would enter as the underdog against Barrios, who recently fought to a draw with Abel Ramos on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson card. Reports say talks for Pacquiao vs. Barrios are “back on.” However, nothing is finalized yet. Pacquiao cannot announce any fight until after May 12, when his campaign for a Senate seat in the Philippines ends. Pacquiao’s Sean Gibbons says the fight is possible.Â
“It’s a possibility. Manny is a modern-day George Foreman, Archie Moore and Bernard Hopkins. He has taken care of himself, lives a clean life and would be up for this. The Hall of Fame comes if you’re out of the ring for three years. It doesn’t mean you can’t fight again,” Gibbons saidÂ