‘I’m back’: Pacquiao confirms coming out of retirement at 46

MANILA: Manny Pacquiao will come out of retirement aged 46 to fight Mario Barrios for the American´s WBC welterweight title, the legendary Filipino has confirmed.

“I´m back,” Pacquiao wrote on social media, after reports earlier this month said that he will face Barrios on July 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. “Let´s make history!” Pacquiao, who won 12 world titles in eight different weight classes, has not fought since losing on points to Cuba´s Yordenis Ugas for the WBA welterweight crown in August 2021.

WBC rules allow a former champion to request a world title fight when coming out of retirement. Pacquiao has a career record of 62-8 with two draws and 39 knockouts. He has been involved in politics since retiring from boxing and had an unsuccessful tilt at the presidency of the Philippines. Barrios is 29-2 with one drawn and 18 knockouts and kept his title last November with a draw against fellow American Abel Ramos.