Pacquiao will come out of retirement to take on Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao confirmed the news himself via his personal social media channels, writing on X: “I’m back. On July 19, I return to the ring to face WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Let’s make history!”
I’m back.
On July 19, I return to the ring to face WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Let’s make history! #TeamPacquiao 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/KEscQEims0
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) May 21, 2025
The 46-year-old reverted his focus back to boxing after a failed bid to secure a seat in the Philippines Senate, with his team releasing a statement announcing his return.
“His comeback aligns with his scheduled induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June, capping a storied sports legacy that continues to inspire millions of Filipino people,” it said.
Pacquiao’s last appearance inside a boxing ring saw him defeated on the scorecards by Yordenis Ugas in August of 2021. Now, nearly four years later, he’ll return in a bid to capture a belt he’s never previously held.
The Filipino superstar unsuccessfully challenged for the WBC welterweight title in a huge unification battle with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May 2015. And while he’s captured world championships across eight different weight divisions in his stellar career, the WBC welterweight belt remains missing from his extensive collection.
He can put that right on July 19 when he challenges Barrios, who won the interim WBC crown with victory over Ugas in 2023 then defended the belt against Fabian Maidana. That status was upgraded to full champion status when the WBC decided to demote previous champ Terence Crawford to “champion in recess”.
His first defence of the title came in less than decisive fashion as he fought to a split draw with Abel Ramos in Arlington, Texas last November. Now he’ll get the chance to face a legend when he welcomes the returning Pacquiao to the ring on July 19.
