Manny Pacquiao is set to return to the ring against world champion Mario Barrios this July, but has his sights set on an even bigger fight next.
Manny Pacquiao‘s record sits at 62-8-2 after an unsuccessful comeback in 2021 against Yordenis Ugas.
Pacquiao’s last win came back in 2019, nearly six years ago, when he beat Keith Thurman. Pacquiao named his dog after Thurman following the win.
Now set to return against Barrios, who was born months after Pacquiao’s pro debut, the Filipino legend has his eyes set on an even bigger fight next.
Manny Pacquiao wants Gervonta Davis next if he beats Mario Barrios
Pacquiao will return against 29-2-1 Barrios on July 19th, the same day Daniel Dubois rematches Oleksandr Usyk.
Despite losing his first attempt at a comeback in 2021, against a man Barrios has beaten, Pacquiao is already looking past Barrios and eyeing a mega-fight with Gervonta Davis next.
His advisor, Sean Gibbons, said: “When he beats Mario Barrios, line them up. His dream fight is Gervonta Davis. He loves that fight. He has tried to get that fight for a couple of years. Manny Pacquiao can get this belt, and it’s going to be a wonderful ride out.”
Though Gibbons has faith in Pacquiao, who turned pro months before Barrios was born, fans have reacted to Pac-Man’s training footage and have had mixed responses to the 46-year-old’s efforts.
Manny Pacquiao has scored one KO win in the last 15 years
Pacquiao’s last win came six years ago, but his last KO win came even longer ago.
In the last 15 years, Pacquiao has scored just one stoppage win, when he beat Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur in 2018.
Pacquiao dropped Matthysse in rounds three, five, and seven, before closing the show later that round.
His last stoppage before that one was back in 2009 against Miguel Cotto.