Manny Pacquiao Confirms Return to Ring Against Mario Barrios on July 19
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 21 May 2025
The highly anticipated comeback of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has officially been confirmed. In a direct announcement via his Facebook account, the 46-year-old multi-division world champion declared his return to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao’s post, shared Wednesday (Philippine time), simply stated: “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!”
This social media confirmation solidifies weeks of speculation surrounding the boxing legend's potential return to the squared circle. Pacquiao, who last fought in August 2021, losing to Yordenis Ugas, will be coming out of a four-year retirement for this significant bout.
The decision to return has drawn both excitement and criticism, particularly given Pacquiao's age and the long layoff. However, the WBC recently defended its decision to rank him at No. 5 in the welterweight division, citing his "legendary status" and passing all medical examinations. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman had previously indicated that Pacquiao expressed a desire to retire as a WBC champion, an organization with which he shares a long and storied history.
Mario Barrios, the reigning WBC welterweight champion, enters the fight with a record of 29-2-1 (18 KOs). The 29-year-old American last fought in November, securing a split decision draw against Abel Ramos. Barrios will undoubtedly view this as the biggest fight of his career, a chance to etch his name into boxing history by defeating one of the sport's all-time greats.
Pacquiao recently arrived in Los Angeles, where he is expected to hold a formal press conference to elaborate on his comeback plans. He is also scheduled to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June, a monumental achievement that will precede his highly anticipated return to active competition.
The July 19 clash promises to be one of the most talked-about events of the boxing calendar, as fans eagerly await to see if the "PacMan" can defy the odds of age and inactivity to capture another world title.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
TICKET NEWS: EUBANK JR-BENN II ON SALE FROM THIS WEDNESDAY
Wed, 17 Sep 2025“Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
Wed, 17 Sep 2025Canelo-Crawford: The Consolidation of Boxing’s New Commercial Empire
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 17 Sep 2025A New Era for Boxing: Canelo vs. Crawford Shatters Global Viewership Records on Netflix
By Dong Secuya, Wed, 17 Sep 2025Crawford Not the First Lightweight to Distinguish Himself at Super Middleweight
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 17 Sep 2025Kurt Scoby and Josh Popper Headline Boxing Insider Card September 19 in Times Square
Wed, 17 Sep 2025Green and Gold 2025: Amateur Boxing’s International Gathering in Bolivia
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 17 Sep 2025Pakistan's Sameer Khan Set to Battle for UBO Youth World Title in Brico Santig’s Sep 27 Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 16 Sep 2025SAMBO Pilipinas is Southern NSA of the Year 2025
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 16 Sep 2025Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh To headline historic “Legacy Nights” Inaugural Pro Boxing event in El Salvador
Tue, 16 Sep 2025Smarts over power
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Sep 2025HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION RICKY HATTON
Tue, 16 Sep 2025Kazakhstan tops the medal table at the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025 thanks to victory in the final bout of the competition
Tue, 16 Sep 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 13: JOE FRAZIER’S HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AS AN AMATEUR FIGHTER
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 15 Sep 2025A New King, A New Challenger: Turki Alalshikh Proposes Crawford-Benavidez While Canelo Alvarez Faces Defeat with Humility
By Dong Secuya, Mon, 15 Sep 2025