| Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios are ready to exchange blows in a July 19, 2025, boxing match | Screenshot YouTube
NEW YORK – Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao is coming out of retirement and will fight WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, a Mexican American from San Antonio, Texas, on July 19, 2025, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It marks his return to professional boxing after a four-year hiatus, following his loss to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
Pacquiao has expressed that the “fire is still there”, and he’s eager to reclaim a world title, which would make him the oldest welterweight champion in history if he wins. He has been training intensely with Freddie Roach in Los Angeles, showcasing his signature speed and power.
This fight is generating a lot of excitement, with some analysts predicting it could be a contender for Fight of the Year.
Pacquiao dismissed the claim that he is an “old man” at 46 and has not been boxing for four years. “My goal is to leave a legacy to the boxing fans. I want to inspire the young generation who are dreaming of becoming a champion,” he said. “I know that Barrios is training hard to defend his belt. I’m the challenger, so I know I have to go the extra mile and punish myself in training to win the fight. That’s the goal.”
Barrios was excited about the opportunity to fight a legend and said he was honored to defend his title against someone he had known since childhood.
“Come July 19, I’ll be facing a legend across from me. I have nothing but respect for him outside of the ring. But inside the ring, he’s just another man who’s trying to take what’s mine,” Barrios said. “I’m the champion for a reason, and I’m gonna show that.”
The return of Pacquiao to the ring is a topic of much discussion among his previous opponents, as well as among his fans.
Pacquiao is an “underdog”
Flo Coronel, a boxing aficionado from Queens, New York, offered his opinion on Pacquiao’s decision to fight again. He said that in a competitive contact sport such as boxing, Pacquiao could be endangering himself and at risk for serious injuries.
“However, it depends on his physical conditioning and mental frame of mind. He is not the first fighter in that age,” said Coronel, saying that George Foreman won a world title at 45, the oldest world heavyweight champion in history, in 1994. Bernard Hopkins broke Foreman’s record at age 46, winning a world championship in 2011. He upped his record to 49 when he claimed the light heavyweight title against Belbut Shemenov in 2014.
Coronel thinks Pacquiao is the underdog in this bout, and he will probably come out victorious.
Floyd Mayweather spoke about Pacquiao’s punching power, describing it as “solid” in a resurfaced interview. His uncle, Jeff Mayweather, also weighed in on Pacquiao’s potential future fight against Gervonta Davis, currently the lightweight champion, saying that Pacman might have a chance if he performs well against Barrios.
Ricky Hatton has also recently reacted to Pacquiao’s comeback fight against Mario Barrios, expressing concern about the risks involved, warning that it could be a tragedy for boxing if Pacquiao loses.
Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s coach, initially did not want Pacquiao to return to professional boxing, believing that he had already cemented his legacy. He stated, “I really don’t want to see him make a comeback, because I think he’s already been great. He’s already done everything he can do”. However, Roach changed his mind after a conversation with Pacquiao’s wife, Jinkee, who surprisingly supported the comeback.
Freddie Ondevilla from Las Vegas, Nevada, had mixed feelings about Pacquiao’s comeback. “What does he still want?,” he asked. “He might just be hurt, just like what happened to Ali.” “He is a rundown boxer against someone who is at the prime of his career,” he added. He gave Pacquiao a 20 percent chance of winning.
What’s interesting to watch in this bout is that Ungas won against Pacquiao in August 2021. Barrios beat Ungas by unanimous decision in September 2023. Barrios dropped Ugas twice during the fight and secured the Interim WBC Welterweight Title, marking a significant victory in his career. Will the circle be completed?
Freddie Villatuya from El Dorado Hills, California, commented that Pacquiao is 46 and has not fought in four years. “He is no match to Mario Barrios, who is young and a full-time boxer whose record speaks for itself: 32 fights, 29 wins, 16 wins by KO, and two losses,” Villatuya said. “Barrios will win this fight.”
Roach, reportedly, is now focused on strategy and preparation. He believes Pacquiao still has the speed and power to dominate, but acknowledges that Barrios’ size and youth could pose challenges to him. Roach has emphasized that Pacquiao needs to control the pace early and avoid getting drawn into unnecessary exchanges.
Overall, analysts believe Pacquiao’s speed, experience, and fight IQ could give him an advantage, but age, inactivity, and Barrios’ physicality make this a tough challenge. If Pacquiao can dictate the pace early, he has a strong chance, but if Barrios pressures him consistently, it could be a long night.
Boxing record
Manny Pacquiao’s professional boxing record stands at 62 wins, eight losses, and two draws, with 39 victories by knockout. His career spanned three decades, making him the only boxer to win world titles in eight different weight divisions, from flyweight (112 lbs) to light middleweight (154 lbs). He stands at 5 feet 5 inches tall.
Despite his relatively small stature for a welterweight, his speed, footwork, and explosive power have made him one of the most formidable fighters in boxing history.
His height has often been a topic of discussion, especially when facing taller opponents like Oscar De La Hoya (5’10”), Antonio Margarito (5’11”), and Mario Barrios (6’0″). Yet, he has consistently overcome size disadvantages with his aggressive style and ring intelligence.
Pacquiao’s most notable victories include wins over Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Keith Thurman. In 2019, at age 40, he became the oldest welterweight champion in history after defeating Thurman.
In contrast, Mario Barrios has a professional boxing record of 29 wins, two losses, and one draw, with 18 victories by knockout. He has been competing professionally since 2013 and has held multiple titles, including the WBC welterweight championship since 2024. He is 30 years old and stands 6 feet tall, fighting in an orthodox stance.
Barrios has faced several notable opponents throughout his career, including Gervonta Davis, Keith Thurman, Yordenis Ugas, Batyr Akhmedov, and Ryan Karl.
