Manny Pacquiao will have to seriously improve from his last fight if he wants to become world champion again in his first bout in four years.
The Filipino boxer is one of the greatest fighters of all time, with Manny Pacquiao becoming the only eight-weight champion in the history of boxing.
“PacMan” was one of the most exciting boxers in the world during his career, with fights against fighters like Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton propelling him into the limelight.
While he competed in exhibition bouts in 2022 and 2024, Pacquiao will resume his boxing career four years after his upset loss against a former Olympian and boxing world champion.
Manny Pacquiao was disappointing in his loss to Yordenis Ugas
“PacMan’s” last fight wasn’t his finest hour, as Pacquiao struggled to overcome Olympic Bronze Medalist Yordenis Ugas.
This bout was two years after his last fight, and the 42-year-old was hoping to add another title reign to his already impressive resume.
Ugas was the reigning WBA Welterweight champion and was eight years younger than his challenger, and had an impressive victory over Terence Crawford as an amateur on his resume.
Despite his legendary status, Pacquiao had lost much of his iconic speed and power, proving little challenge for Ugas in their twelve-round fight.
Ugas utilized his reach advantage by keeping Pacquiao at bay with his jab, avoiding the Filipino’s trademark flurries for the bulk of the bout.
His best hit came with a strong left hand in the tenth round, but Pacquiao never really threatened the champion. While he threw twice as many punches as his opponent, the legendary fighter landed even fewer, with only 16% of his hits finding their mark.
The judges recognized this and awarded Ugas the unanimous decision victory after a disappointing performance from a struggling Pacquiao, who many thought would never fight again.
That is, until his comeback was announced four years later.
Mario Barrios will defend his world title against a 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao
Four years after that devastating defeat to Ugas, Pacquiao will step back into a professional boxing ring to challenge WBC Welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
Barrios and Pacquiao will face off in Las Vegas on July 19, with the 46-year-old returning to boxing in a shocking turn of events.
He initially retired from boxing to run for President of the Philippines, but his failure to get elected prompted his comeback in the ring against Barrios.
His 2025 comeback may be a fight too far for the former eight-weight champion. He is closing in on his 50s and