Four years after his last bout, boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is set to make a highly anticipated return to the ring. The 46-year-old Filipino icon is scheduled to challenge Mario Barrios for the World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title on July 19 in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao’s extended hiatus appears to have reignited his dedication to the sport, as he expressed during a recent training session.
Pacquiao, who began his professional career in 1995 and holds an unprecedented 12 world titles across eight weight classes, has reunited with his long-time trainer Freddie Roach for this comeback fight.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at Roach’s Wild Card gym in Hollywood, Pacquiao shared insights into his rejuvenated mindset.
“Four years rest has been good for me,” Pacquiao stated after demonstrating impressive hand speed during an open pads session. “I’ve been in boxing for so many decades, so it’s good for my body to rest for four years.”
He added, “Now I’m back, I’m hungry to fight again. I’m hungry to fight in a big fight like this. To work hard, have discipline, everything like that.” He concluded, “I’ve missed boxing. I feel like the passion, the fire in my eyes, working hard – it’s still there.”
Despite his age, Pacquiao asserts that his physical conditioning remains strong. While acknowledging slightly longer recovery times, he noted no significant decline in his abilities.
“I’m fast, I can move like I did before. I can run in the mountains with the young boxers, so I’m happy,” he affirmed. “I’m enjoying this training camp. There’s a couple of adjustments for bodily recovery. We have to control the body, give my body time to rest and recover.”
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When pressed on whether this comeback would be a single event or signal a full return to boxing, Pacquiao remained noncommittal. “It’s hard to say,” he remarked. “Now I’m back so one at a time, after this fight we can plan whatever we want.”
However, not everyone in the boxing community is convinced of the wisdom behind Pacquiao’s return.
British promoter Eddie Hearn recently voiced his concerns, predicting that the 30-year-old Barrios would be “too young and too strong” for the veteran.
Pacquiao, when asked for his reaction to Hearn’s comments, simply smiled and offered a concise response: “Just watch on July 19th. It will be a good fight.”
