Manny Pacquiao still hopes to break his own record as the oldest welterweight world champion in boxing history and WBC titlist Ryan Garcia believes that the Filipino icon is capable of doing it if he chooses the right path.
Pacquiao currently holds the record as boxing’s most senior champion at 147lbs, having overthrown Keith Thurman in July 2019 as a 40-year-old and held the belt until two years later, when he suffered a defeat to Yordenis Ugas.
Last July, ‘Pac Man’ made his official return to the professional scene in an attempted challenge for Mario Barrios’ WBC world title, where victory would have seen him break that same record, but the veteran could only muster a draw.
Since then, Garcia has taken Barrios’ belt, whilst Pacquiao has been linked to a shock rematch with Floyd Mayweather. Recent developments suggest that the fight is in serious jeopardy due to an ongoing lawsuit against the American.
As a result, Pacquiao may now be seeking to get back on track with his goal of regaining a welterweight world title, and the division crowned a new world champion this week when Australia’s Liam Paro outpointed Lewis Crocker to get his hands on the IBF strap.
After witnessing that fight, Garcia took to social media to say that 47-year-old Pacquiao would be able to get the better of Paro.
I believe if pac fights paro he becomes world champion ✅
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) June 24, 2026
“I believe if ‘Pac’ fights Paro he becomes world champion.”
Paro has also shared his interest in that fight, aiming to recreate Jeff Horn’s famous victory over Pacquiao, when the eight-division world champion last fought on Australian soil.
