{"id":245641,"date":"2025-07-07T15:59:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T15:59:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/245641\/"},"modified":"2025-07-07T15:59:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T15:59:08","slug":"former-long-reigning-world-champion-to-make-comeback-after-4-years-the-fans-know-what-i-bring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/245641\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Long Reigning World Champion To Make Comeback After 4 Years: “The Fans Know What I Bring”"},"content":{"rendered":"

A former world featherweight champion has been added to the undercard of Manny Pacquiao\u2019s sensational comeback to the sport.<\/p>\n

Pacquiao is set to challenge reigning WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios<\/a> on Saturday July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.<\/p>\n

The 46-year-old from the Philippines has not fought since he was beaten by former WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas just over 4-years-ago, going on to announce his retirement from boxing shortly after to focus on his political career.<\/p>\n

As the undercard starts to take shape for the sensational return of \u2018PacMan\u2019, former WBC world featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr is the latest addition to the show as he puts an end to just shy of four years of inactivity<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Gary Russell Jr is set make his return to the ring after three-and-a-half years away vs Hugo Castaneda on the Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios undercard on July 19th.<\/p>\n

Mark Magsayo vs Jorge Mata Cuellar and David Picasso vs Kyonosuke Kameda have also been added to the card. pic.twitter.com\/BwwqRw6btq<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) July 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In an interview with Boxing Source<\/a> before his comeback was officially announced, he said he was flattered that the fans were calling for his return.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s sweet [the fans want to see me back]. It goes to show the work, the effort that I\u2019ve put in for the sport, the fact that I was the longest reigning champion speaks volumes on my skillset and my pedigree. It\u2019s flattering to know that the fans still admire the talent and the skills I brought within the sport.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The 37-year-old from Washington, D.C., who has not fought since he lost his WBC featherweight crown against Mark Magsayo at the begining of 2022, faces Mexico\u2019s Hugo Castaneda in a scheduled lightweight bout in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

Russell had suffered the first defeat of his career against the recently retired Vasiliy Lomachenko over a decade ago, but would go on to rack up seven consecutive wins and reigned as champion for nearly seven years before he was beaten by Magsayo in a razor thin majority decision loss.<\/p>\n

It has also been confirmed that Magsayo himself has been added to the undercard, as he faces Jorge Mata Cuellar in a super-featherweight bout in what will be his first ring appearance since December of last year.<\/p>\n