Manny Pacquiao targets ‘very winnable’ Mario Barrios fight ahead of 46th birthday

Living legend Manny Pacquiao still has some fight left in him.

The eight-division champion retired in 2021 after a unanimous decision defeat to Yordenis Ugas, but over the last year “Pacman” has been adamant that a return is near.

Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) will first partake in a practice tune-up on July 28 against former K-1 champion Rukiya Anpo in a three-round 152-pound boxing exhibition in Saitama, Japan. The fight will be featured on a Super RIZIN 3 card.

Once the exhibition is complete, Pacquiao, who will turn 46 years old in December, wants to continue his professional career against recently elevated WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

Barrios (29-2, 18 KOs) has the belt that belonged to former undisputed champion Terence Crawford, who is now campaigning at 154 pounds.

Sean Gibbons, Pacquiao’s advisor and head of his promotional company, told BoxingScene that “Barrios is definitely the target” for the comeback fight.

“It’s a 50-50 fight but a very winnable fight for Manny,” said Gibbons. “Barrios is the perfect fighter. He has the right style because he’s there to be hit and he brings it. He wants to mix it up.

“Over the next month or so, we’ll either be able to make the fight or won’t. … It’s very important to get a fight in by December. This is a very important time right now. We have a very short window. This could be the last year because Manny might run for office next year in the Philippines.

“Manny is like a fine bottle of wine and getting better and better as he ages. He hasn’t lost his speed, power or passion. He loves to fight. If I didn’t think he could fight at the highest level, I would advise him against it and to do something else.”

Team Barrios is “all in” on a fight it believes is “very realistic” to happen. The WBC has labeled Pacquiao’s comeback as a “sensational” development and would green-light the title fight.

Barrios won the WBC’s 147-pound interim title in September with a dominant decision win against Ugas. Barrios, 29, last fought in May and bested Fabian Maidana. By June, the WBC made Barrios the full titleholder, a move that further got the attention of Pacquiao.

Barrios is riding a three-fight winning streak since losing to Gervonta Davis in 2021 and Keith Thurman in 2022 in back-to-back fights.

Pacquiao hasn’t scored a win since beating Thurman in 2019.

Gibbons said Pacquiao’s long-discussed fight against UFC icon Conor McGregor is also a matchup they would love to move forward with in case negotiations with Barrios fall apart.

“McGregor is the most fun fight left for Manny and a dream match for the fans,” said Gibbons.

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.