Manny Pacquiao will be taking inspiration from another boxing great as he attempts to become a 13-time world champion in his boxing comeback.
After an extended hiatus from the sport, Manny Pacquiao returns for his first fight in four years when he takes on Mario Barrios on July 19.
A WBC rule meant Pacquiao is challenging for the world championship, as the eight-weight world champion looks to become one of the oldest title holders in history.
While it seems like a huge feat, PacMan will have the incredible comeback of Sugar Ray Leonard on his mind for the contest.
Sugar Ray Leonard returned after multiple retirements to become world champion
After toying with retirement for a number of years, boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard returned to the ring after many years to become a world champion once again.
The iconic fighter announced his initial retirement in 1982, following Sugar Ray’s third-round TKO victory over Bruce Finch, due to a detached retina suffered in the fight.
He stayed retired for another two years before his first comeback, another TKO win, this time over Kevin Howard. Despite the win, Sugar Ray once again announced his retirement, despite looking as good as ever in the ring.
He stuck to his word for three more years before the long-awaited clash with WBC Middleweight champion Marvin Hagler came calling in April 1987.
This was the fight that had been expected when Sugar Ray first announced his retirement in 1984. Three years later, the hype was as big as ever, and the superfight was ready to take over the boxing world.
It did not fail to deliver. The two legends sold out Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, as fans got to enjoy 12 incredible rounds of boxing.
The press backed Hagler to win, noting that Sugar Ray’s ring rust could play a huge factor after three years away from the sport.
However, the fight was incredibly close and was one of the most controversial in boxing history. Hagler spent the first two rounds switching to an orthodox stance, which helped Sugar Ray dominate until he switched back to southpaw in the third.
From then on, Hagler went on the attack, with Sugar Ray defending well and hitting him with well-placed combinations while on the back foot.
While this tactic allowed Sugar Ray to hit more punches and earn points on the judges’ scorecard, it did little damage to Hagler, and many saw him as the winning fighter.
The judges were split on the winner, although one scored it 118-110 to Sugar Ray, as the returning former champion walked out the winner in the controversial bout.
Sugar Ray shook off the ring rust to become the WBC Middleweight champion, something that Pacquiao will have been inspired by as he prepares for his own comeback.
Manny Pacquiao will have to channel Sugar Ray Leonard in his comeback fight
The story of Sugar Ray’s unlikely title win will bring comfort to Pacquiao as he returns to the ring after a four-year absence.
PacMan will be 46 when he steps into the ring with Barrios, a full 15 years older than Sugar Ray was during his second comeback fight.
But it is the inspiration of seeing a legendary champion coming back on top of his game that will inspire the Filipino as he aims to become a 13-time world champion.
Pacquiao is one of the greatest boxers of all time, so if anybody can manage such a feat at 46, it’s PacMan.