LAST year, the proposal of a Manny Pacquiao, 62-8-2 (39 KOs), comeback was flirted with, as the Filipino boxing legend aimed to end his career on a high and hang up the gloves off the back of a world title win.
However, an exhibition bout revealed the frailties of the now 46-year-old boxing icon, putting an end to whispers of a comeback. Still, it now seems as though boxing’s only eight-division world champion is in negotiations to return in a world title contest once again.
Pac-Man had been linked to a clash with reigning WBC welterweight champion, Mario Barrios, 29-2-1 (18 KOs), during the first half of 2024, with a fight seemingly pencilled in depending on how well Pacquiao looked in a ring rust-removing exhibition against Japanese kickboxer, Rukiya Anpo, last July.
Whilst the bout was supposed to get fans talking about the remaining ability that Pacquiao possessed, it instead had the opposite impact, as viewers grimaced at each shot landed by Anpo. There was a fear of what might happen if a current world champion landed such blows.
As a result, talks of Barrios-Pacquiao soon went quiet. The Texan instead moved on to a title defence against Abel Ramos on the Paul-Tyson undercard in November, escaping a closely fought battle with a split-draw to retain his coveted green and gold WBC marble.
Now, almost 10 months after the thought of Barrios-Pacquiao had left some fans sick to their stomachs. After first being reported by Brunch Boxing, sources confirmed to Boxing News that…’that although a deal is far from done, negotiations are back underway for the fight. This news provides Pacquiao with the chance to break his own record of being the oldest welterweight world champion of all time (42).
Pacquiao also remains the only four-time welterweight champion in boxing history and could extend that record further by becoming a five-time titleholder in the 147lb division if he pulls off what would have to be considered a major upset against Barrios, should the fight be made.
Live on DAZN, April 26 Eubank Jr vs. Benn. Over 30 years of rivalry and hatred all comes down to this! A bloodline born to settle the score, hatred in their blood. Eubank Jr vs. Benn, live on DAZN April 26.
