Notebook: Pacquiao's return to challenge Barrios soon to be official
2 notable undercard bouts on tap for the PPV; Holm signs with MVP, will box for 1st time since 2013; WBO shoots down Callum Smith's request for Bivol; Zayas-Garcia update; Quick hits; Show & tell
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The return of all-time legend Manny Pacquiao to the boxing ring has long been expected and is now set even though he is 46, not had an official fight in four years, and is coming off a loss.
The sport’s only eight-division world champion will challenge WBC welterweight titlist Mario Barrios in the main event of a PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view event on July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, sources told Fight Freaks Unite and other outlets. PBC is expected to make the fight official within the week, one source involved told FFU.
The last time Pacquiao had an official bout was on Aug. 21, 2021, when he lost a competitive unanimous decision to then-WBA welterweight titlist Yordenis Ugas at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in the main event of a PBC on Fox PPV event.
The bout was made on less than two weeks’ notice when Errol Spence Jr., Pacquiao’s original opponent, was forced out due to a torn retina in his left eye. Ugas was due to defend against Fabian Maidana on the undercard but was moved into the main event.
Pacquiao talked about retiring at the post-fight news conference and then made it official in a nearly 15-minute video posted to social media on Sept. 29, 2021.
He has, however, sought to return since, including efforts in March 2024 to make a fight against Conor Benn in Saudi Arabia.