It’s been almost three years since Manny Pacquiao fought his last professional fight. It was in August 2021 when the Filipino superstar was surprisingly defeated in a clear manner by Cuban Yordenis Ugas, highlighting a significant athletic decline compared to his previous performances. The vast majority of experts and casual fans, seeing Pac Man defeated by a boxer who, although capable, would have had no chance of beating him a few years earlier, were convinced that the legendary career of Pacquiao had come to an end.
Yet since then, various rumors about a possible sensational return to the ring for the Filipino have circulated. Several names of potential opponents have been identified by the media from time to time, from Gervonta Davis to Conor Benn, although such rumors have never materialized. The latest boxer to make headlines as a possible rival for Pacquiao’s return is American Mario Barrios, who is coming off three consecutive victories, one of which was against the same Ugas who seemed to have once and for all closed the career of Pac Man.
Adding further emphasis to the possibility of a fight between the two was WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, who said he was fully willing to authorize a fight for the vacant WBC welterweight world title between Pacquiao and Barrios: “I do like the idea very much. I think Pacquiao can beat any fighter or be competitive with any fighter today.”
Being able to become a world champion again at 45 and after three years of inactivity would be one of the most incredible feats in boxing history by Manny, and it’s understandable that some of his fans hope for a miracle. On the other hand, tarnishing such a remarkable career with a bad defeat would be a real shame. We will see what the popular ex (?) boxer from the Philippines decides to do.