Pacquiao's comeback at 46 driven by unquenchable passion for boxing
Ends 4-year layoff to challenge Mario Barrios for WBC welterweight title
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LAS VEGAS — While Manny Pacquiao won’t come out and say it his retirement four years ago was in large measure politically motivated. He had already served in the House of Representatives and Senate in the Philippines, where he is an icon, and he was preparing to mount a presidential campaign.
So, when Pacquiao lost a competitive decision on Aug. 21, 2021 challenging then-WBA welterweight titlist Yordenis Ugas, who moved up from the co-feature position and replaced injured Errol Spence Jr. on two weeks’ notice, he strongly hinted at the post-fight news conference that he would retire. Five weeks later, in a nearly 15-minute video posted to social media, he made it official on Sept. 29.
It was made clear by those around him that remaining an active boxer would hamper his legitimacy as a candidate, even though he had famously juggled a term in the senate with his fighting schedule.
Pacquiao did run for president and lost the election, and later lost a run for another senate term. What Pacquiao had not lost was his love for boxing, which is why he participated in two exhibition bouts and even paid a visit to Turki Alalshikh in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, along with British welterweight Conor Benn, in March 2024 trying to sell him on financing the fight.
So while it may have taken a bit longer than some expected, Pacquiao’s exit from retirement should not have come as a surprise to those paying attention as he finds himself preparing for yet another fight, this time a challenge to WBC welterweight titleholder Mario Barrios on very familiar turf.
They will square off in the main event of the Premier Boxing Champions card on Saturday (Prime Video PPV, PPV.COM, 8 p.m. ET, $79.99) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, where Pacquiao made his spectacular American debut by knocking out Lehlo Ledwaba in the sixth round to win the IBF junior featherweight title in 2001. Pacquiao will be fighting at the venue for the 16th in a legendary career that saw him inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 8.
So why is Pacquiao, a beloved figure, who has earned hundreds of millions of dollars — though given much of it away — fighting again? To him it is quite simple.
