Pacman in LA to announce ring return

MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao, now 46 years old and who last fought professionally four years ago, is about to officially announce his boxing comeback.

The Filipino sports icon, accompanied by his family and entourage, arrived in Los Angeles yesterday for a scheduled press conference this week to announce his fight with World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

Coming off a failed bid for a Senate seat in the just-concluded midterm elections, Pacquiao has turned his attention to boxing once more, four years after announcing his retirement.

He last fought as a pro in August 2021, losing to Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas via unanimous decision. But he did not totally leave the boxing limelight, figuring in a couple of exhibition bouts – against Korean vlogger DK Yoo and Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in 2022 and 2025, respectively.

Now, Pacquiao is set to embark on his 73rd pro fight, this time against a fresher and more dangerous Barrios (29-2-1, with 18 knockouts), a Mexican-American who, at 30 years old and standing 5-foot-9, will enjoy tremendous advantages with his youth, activity and height.

Pacquiao’s boxing return has received a stamp of approval from the WBC, which even installed Pacquiao as its No. 5-ranked contender for Barrios’ belt.

Videos that circulated on social media over the weekend showed Pacquiao sweating it out on the mitts and heavy bag. With the Barrios fight penciled for July in Las Vegas, he will have over a month to get in shape.

“We can train hard for this fight. Very important fight,” Pacquiao’s childhood friend and trainer Buboy Fernandez told media members at the LAX upon their arrival.

Reports said Pacquiao will reunite with longtime head trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood to train. But neither the boxer nor Roach’s camp confirmed it would be the case.