A boxing return for Manny Pacquiao is now closer to reality, as World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed that the eight-division world champion is lined up to face current WBC welterweight titleholder Mario Barrios this July.
Speaking with Boxing King Media in Saudi Arabia, Sulaiman said that discussions are already underway and that the bout is “a tremendous fight” in the making.
“At this time, Mario Barrios is going to face Manny Pacquiao in July. That’s a tremendous fight,” Sulaiman revealed.
Sulaiman further explained that under WBC regulations, a former champion of Pacquiao’s stature is eligible to challenge for a world title even after retirement.
He added that the 45-year-old Filipino legend has already been cleared to fight by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, a key step toward finalizing the match.
Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) is set to be enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame this June in Canastota, New York.
He last stepped into the ring on August 21, 2021, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas, who stepped in as a late replacement.
Just over a month later, Pacquiao announced his retirement from the sport.
Prior to the Ugas bout, Pacquiao’s last victory came on July 20, 2019, when he edged out then-undefeated Keith Thurman via split decision, capturing the WBA welterweight title.
Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs), meanwhile, was elevated to WBC welterweight champion after Terence Crawford vacated the title to campaign in a higher weight class.
Should the fight be made official in the coming weeks, it would mark Pacquiao’s return to world championship contention nearly three years after his last bout.
