Pacquiao, 46, Intends To Make Extended Comeback

Manny Pacquiao plans to make his boxing comeback past much than 1 conflict arsenic he prepares for his first master title successful almost 4 years.

The 46-year-old will situation Mario Barrios connected Saturday for his WBC world welterweight title successful Las Vegas.

It will beryllium his first master conflict since August 2021, soon aft which he retired.

Confirming to BBC Sport that he intends to make an extended return to nan sport, he said: "I'm judge my coaching unit for illustration Freddie [Roach], Buboy [Fernandez] and Justin [Fortune] will show maine frankly if I don't person that occurrence immoderate more.

"But correct now they're very happy pinch my passion. They're very happy pinch my training. They're very happy pinch my velocity and power.

"The occurrence successful my eyes, successful my heart, is still there."

American Barrios, aged 30, is 16 years younger than Pacquiao, and has a grounds of 29 wins, 1 tie and 2 losses successful his 32 master fights.

Pacquiao, who has precocious been progressive successful authorities successful his autochthonal Philippines, will purpose to group a caller grounds arsenic boxing's oldest welterweight world champion.

It is simply a record he already holds - having won nan WBA Super title successful 2019, erstwhile he was 40.

He is considered arsenic 1 of nan top fighters of all-time and is nan only boxer to triumph world titles successful 8 different weight divisions.

Pacquiao added: "I'm worried for my reputation, but I'm making judge that I'm not a benignant of combatant for illustration different fighters that travel backmost but they are not showing what they did before.

"I'm truthful excited for this conflict because I want to beryllium to nan fans that Manny Pacquiao is still there. And it's bully to beryllium back."

Asked what his family thought of his comeback, he said: "I asked my family if they agreed pinch maine aliases not. If they didn't agree, past I'm not going to travel backmost because I respect my family and I emotion my family.

"But they said 'yes you tin fight, you still person that powerfulness and velocity and you are dedicated'. Because I'm a disciplined person."