Manny Pacquiao is closing in on a return to boxing and hopes to fight two or three more times before hanging up his gloves once and for all.
The Filipino legend, who will be inducted into the hall of fame next month as boxing’s only eight-division champion, has an agreement to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title in Las Vegas on July 19.
It is understood terms were agreed following face-to-face talks between Pacquiao, representatives of Barrios and promoters Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) in the Philippines last week.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman gave the bout his blessing while attending the Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez-William Scull event in Saudi Arabia at the weekend, describing it as a “great fight”.
The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas has been lined up as a venue, but Pacquiao wants to wait until after the coming elections in his homeland before making a final decision and announcing his plans.
The 46-year-old, who has not fought since defeat to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021, is in a tight race for a seat in the Senate of the Philippines, with voters going to the polls on May 12.
“Manny feels good and that he still has it in him to compete at that level. He feels he can still fight two or three more times, this year, next year and maybe even into 2027,” a source close to Pacquiao told The National.
It is understood Pacquiao is already in training and is not fazed by the short turnaround between the elections and a potential July 19 bout.
