Manny Pacquiao is just weeks away from making a sensational comeback to the sport.
The 46-year-old from the Philippines will clash with reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday July 19, putting an end to four years of inactivity.
His last ring appearance came in the summer of 2021 when he was outpointed by former WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas, going on to announce his retirement from boxing shortly after to focus on his political career.
At the height of his glittering career, ‘Pac-Man’ defeated an abundance of highly-rated opponents and generational greats including Shane Mosley, who he beat via unanimous decision to successfully defend his WBO welterweight title in 2011.
Speaking to ESNEWS, Mosley admitted that he foresees a Pacquiao victory when he faces Barrios next month, having spent some time watching the Fiilipino train in the last few weeks.
“Yeah I can see him winning, his mind is there, physically he’s there, mentally he’s there so why not?”
Should Pacquiao be victorious over Barrios next month, the 46-year-old will become the oldest world welterweight champion of all time, breaking the record that he actually set himself back in 2019 when he defeated Keith Thurman to capture the WBA welterweight title at 40-years-old.
As for Barrios, the 30-year-old from San Antonio, Texas will be making the latest defence of his WBC crown at 147lbs having been elevated from interim champion in May of 2024 after former champion Terence Crawford was made ‘Champion in Recess’ to pursue a showdown with Israil Madrimov at super-welterweight.