Manny Pacquiao will make an unprecedented return to the sport of boxing next month, challenging for the WBC Welterweight World Title currently held by Mario Barrios.
The 46-year-old Filipino fighting legend has been out of the ring since he announced his retirement in 2021 off the back of a bruising loss to Yordenis Ugas. Should he beat Barrios, 30, Pacquiao will break his own record as the division’s oldest champion in history.
One man who fought on well past his own prime is Roy Jones Jr, who could have retired on top when he won the world heavyweight championship in 2003 after holding belts at middle, super-middle and light-heavyweight.
Speaking to Prime Casino, Jones supported Pacquiao’s return, unsurprisingly since he has been open that he is considering doing the same.
“The fact that Pacquiao can get in shape and go 12 rounds at 46 years old is beating most people right there. How many people can do that? There’s people that are 26 who can’t hardly go one round, and you’re doing it at 46, double their age. You got to take your hat off to Manny. I give Manny a chance, you always gotta give him a chance.”
Jone ended with his prediction:
“I’m backing him.”
Pacquiao and Barrios face off on Saturday July 19, main eventing a PBC Pay-Per-View show streamed on Prime Video from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The undercard features and intriguing super-welterweight rematch between Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu as well as the return fight between Isaac Cruz and Angel Fierro.