One of the greats of the sport Manny Pacquiao is eyeing a comeback to boxing and a shot at a world champion.
Boxing is full of old fighters making a return against YouTubers, celebrities and stars from the UFC.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. has come back to fight in multiple exhibitions since retiring and Mike Tyson recently announced he will be fighting Jake Paul, even if the bout has been postponed.
Now 45-year-old Manny Pacquiao has announced plans for a comeback against a current world champion.
Pacquiao is boxing’s only eight-weight champion and last held a title at the age of 40 but is aiming for another shot at glory.
Manny Pacquiao to face Mario Barrios for world title
Mario Barrios was recently crowned WBC world welterweight champion after Terence Crawford announced his plans to move up in weight to 154 pounds.
Pacquiao hasn’t fought since losing his WBA welterweight championship to Yordenis Ugas back in 2021 but is eyeing another shot at a title.
The former champion has eyes on Barrios and his famous green belt, as well as hoping to become one of boxing’s oldest world champions according to his advisor Sean Gibbons.
Gibbons told Boxing Scene: “Manny loves the competition. He loves doing things people don’t believe he can do.
“Can you imagine him winning another one all these years later? It’s so crazy how life goes full circle.
“Look, the fans want to see Manny Pacquiao one more time. What happened last time left so many people leaving that arena depressed. Manny should have won.
“He wants to win again. I’ve been with him in training. He’s fast, he’s quick, he’s the Manny of five to 10 years ago.
“Let’s be honest, 80 per cent of Manny Pacquiao beats most of the guys out there today.
“Unlike Floyd (Mayweather Jr.), Manny didn’t cherry-pick his opponents. He fought (Juan Manuel) Marquez, (Erik) Morales and (Marco Antonio) Barrera all at their best weights.
“He took some losses, yes, but that’s why his record as a welterweight is better than Floyd, than Oscar (De La Hoya), and it will be shown when we make the Barrios fight.”
Manny Pacquiao may not get his fairytale ending
The history books do not fare well for old fighters coming back to face current world champions.
Countless greats have stepped back into the ropes to find out they just don’t have it anymore and Pacquiao is one of them.
In his last contest, he was beaten by Ugas, a fighter he would have easily beaten in his prime.
Barrios has also beaten Ugas and did it convincingly by dropping his man en route to a points victory.
Another defeat could go on Pacquiao’s record if he makes the fight.