HOLLYWOOD, Calif. —
Manny Pacquiao has been noncommittal whenever he’s been pressed to answer how long his comeback campaign will continue.
But on Wednesday, during a media workout at Wild Card Boxing gym ahead of his July 19 fight against
Mario Barrios, the
46-year-old Hall of Famer and eight-division champion revealed what he envisions.
“I think I have two or three more fights left,” said Pacquiao. “I feel like I could do this for another couple of years. But I’m just taking it one at a time.”
Pacquiao would become the second-oldest champion in boxing history
if he beats the WBC welterweight champion Barrios. Bernard Hopkins holds the record at 49, and Pacquiao wants to shatter the milestone.
“My goal is to be the oldest champion and retire as a champion,” said Pacquiao. “This fight is very important to me because it’s history. I believe I’d be the first Hall of Famer to win another world title, and I’d also break my own record as the oldest welterweight world champion.”
If the betting underdog Pacquiao beats Barrios at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, a pack of young and hungry lions is waiting to be uncaged.
Rolando Romero,
Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia and
Brian Norman have already raised their hands to mix it up with Pacquiao.
Discussions around lightweight champion and knockout artist
Gervonta Davis jumping up two divisions for a dance have also been reignited whenever the Filipino icon has faced the media, especially since Pacquiao has welcomed a tilt with Tank in retirement following his loss to Yordenis Ugas four years ago.
“When I retired in 2021, it wasn’t a good feeling because I had it in my heart and my mind that I can still fight,” said Pacquiao. “I’ve always known that I could still work hard and dedicate myself and focus on training. I’ve rested and now I’m back.
“I feel fast and I feel like the strength is still there. I can still do what I’ve done before in training. If anything, my team right now is trying to slow me down and making sure I get enough rest. I still want to push myself every day, but I know that I have to listen to my team.
“Boxing is my passion. I’ve missed the sport. These last four years have been good for my body, because I’ve been doing this a long time. I feel like my passion and fire is back and you can see it in my work.”
Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan