Filipino fighter Manny Pacquiao is stepping back into the ring to take on welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas. With the captions “I’m back” and “Let’s make history,” Pacquiao announced on social media that he will challenge Barrios for the WBC welterweight title.
This will be Pacquiao’s first fight since retiring from professional boxing in August 2021, after losing by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugás for the WBA welterweight title.
How Do Both Fighters Stack Up?
At 46, “PacMan” is set to face the division’s reigning champion, 30-year-old Mario Barrios. For context: when Barrios was just 14, Pacquiao had already won titles across five divisions—flyweight, bantamweight, super bantamweight, super featherweight, and lightweight—before claiming a sixth in welterweight by beating Miguel Cotto in 2009.
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The Filipino legend enters this fight with a professional record of 62-8-2, including 29 wins by KO and 3 losses by KO. Meanwhile, Mexican American Barrios holds a record of 29-2-1, with 18 KO victories.
When are Pacquiao and Barrios Going to Fight?
Pacquiao’s comeback has sparked excitement among his fans, along with some criticism. However, there’s no turning back—the fight is officially set for July 19. The boxing legend will look to extend his incredible career. So far, the exact time and broadcasting details (TV or streaming services) have not been announced.
