Manny Pacquiao has officially tested clean for his comeback fight against Mario Barrios, the World Boxing Council confirmed this week.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced the results via social media, sharing that VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) completed its final round of testing on both Pacquiao and Barrios, with all results coming back negative.
Pacquiao’s Clean Test “Just received from VADA Testing the final notification on testing performed on Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios for their fight, and all negative,” Sulaiman posted. “Thank you, Premier Boxing Champions (and Al Haymon), for your dedication and care for safety and clean boxing.”
The confirmation ends weeks of speculation and scrutiny surrounding the 46-year-old Pacquiao, who stepped out of retirement for a shot at a WBC world title against the much younger Barrios on July 19.
Just received from @Vada_Testing th final notification on testing performed on @MannyPacquiao and Mario Barrios for their fight and all negative . Thank you @premierboxing for your dedication and care for safety and clean boxing @WBCBoxing #CleanBoxingProgram
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) August 4, 2025
VADA Testing Puts Speculation to Bed With the eight-weight legend returning to active competition after four years out, critics had raised concerns over fairness, age disparity, and potential loopholes in the clean boxing process.
But VADA’s all-clear finding now puts that talk to bed, at least officially, and strengthens the WBC’s stance on transparency in elite-level boxing.
WBC enrolled Pacquiao in the Clean Boxing Program from the outset, which mandates random drug testing for all top-ranked fighters and world title challengers.
Barrios, the reigning WBC welterweight champion, was also tested under the same protocols.
With the fight now green-lit from a medical and anti-doping standpoint, fans can focus on what matters most: whether Pacquiao can roll back the years once again in what may be the final chapter of his legendary career.
The fight headlines a stacked card in Las Vegas, with global attention locked on the Filipino icon’s return to the world stage.
Talk of a rematch is still on the table.
