Manny Pacquiao is a matter of days away from making a sensational return to the ring.
The 46-year-old from the Philippines is set to challenge reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pacquiao will put an end to four years of inactivity when he faces Barrios next week, with his most recent ring appearance coming against former WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas, who outpointed the Filipino icon in June 2021.
Legendary fighter-turned-promoter Oscar De La Hoya has spoken out ahead of his former rival’s shock comeback, which has been met with mixed reviews from boxing fans around the world.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, De La Hoya appeared to send a word of warning to Pacquiao, although he does not write off the 46-year-old’s chances of dethroning the younger and more active champion.
“You know what, I learned that you can never tell a fighter whether he has to retire or not, he has to make that decision on his own. I think that if Manny Pacquiao wants to come back and fight and he feels it in his gut, he feels it in his heart, in his, you know, in his body, why not just go for it?
“But be careful, you’re facing a young guy who is probably half your age, who is coming with everything, who’s going to try to make a point off your name.”
Whilst there have been concerns about ‘Pac-Man’ making a return to the ring at his age, the Filipino great is on the verge of writing his name into boxing history once again as he will break his own record and become the oldest welterweight world champion of all time at 46 should he be victorious on July 19.