Manny Pacquiao doesn’t need to look far to find a familiar face who understands why he wants to make a comeback.

Erik Morales, who fought Pacquiao three times, was once in Pacquiao’s shoes when he came out of retirement after being out of the ring for nearly two-and-a-half years to chase a title in a fourth division. Morales defended Pacquiao’s pursuit of history, saying all fighters aren’t all that different and view the sport from a different lens compared to the fans.

Still, the Hall of Famer believes Pacquiao will be facing an uphill battle when he faces WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“Us fighters, most of the time, are crazy,” Morales told The Ring through a translator. “Sometimes the people don’t understand that and we boxers see something that the people don’t see, but I understand as well that the people see something we don’t see. I think more or less it’s him wanting to be there to win again. I’ve had the feeling, so I know what he’s going through right now and I know it’s his feeling to be a champion again. I think he has a lot of potential to do as much as he can but I think Barrios and his youth is what’s going to help him a lot.”

Pacquiao, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday, went 2-1 vs Morales, winning the second fight by 10th-round stoppage and the final bout of their trilogy by third-round stoppage. Morales won the first fight by unanimous decision.

Morales, 48, made history after coming out of retirement, as he became Mexico's first four-division champion when he defeated Pablo Cesar Cano by 10th-round stoppage to win the WBC junior welterweight title. Morales (52-9, 36 KOs) was much younger than Pacquiao, though, as he retired at 30 and made his comeback at 32 before becoming the WBC junior welterweight champion at 35. Pacquiao retired at 42 years old and is re-entering the fray at 46.

If Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) can upset Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs), he’d become the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history. He previously set the record when he defeated Keith Thurman on July 20, 2019, at 40 years old to become the WBA welterweight champion.

Pacquiao, the only eight-division champion in boxing history, last stepped in the ring on Aug. 21, 2021, when he lost by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas, who was a late replacement for Errol Spence Jr., who was forced to withdraw due to an eye injury. Pacquiao looked every bit of 42 years old in the loss, though, he believes the nearly four-year layoff, along with no distractions in training camp, will pay huge dividends when he steps into the ring vs Barrios.

And while fans may be concerned about Pacquiao’s efforts to add to his already Hall of Fame legacy, Morales believes he’s still capable of pulling off the upset and worries over his comeback should be placed elsewhere.

“The great champions have all the will,” Morales said. “They can do what they want. It doesn’t matter. It’s OK.”