Manny Pacquiao could come out of retirement for world title fight at 45-years-old
After the legendary Manny Pacquiao confirmed that talks are underway over a potential return to the ring for a title bout, he has received a major endorsement.
The legendary Manny Pacquiao has been backed by the WBC to make his return to the boxing ring - nearly four years on from hanging up his gloves. The retired icon's most recent fight came in a loss to Yordenis Ugas in 2021 via unanimous decision in just the eighth defeat of his glittering career on the canvas.
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With the WBC welterweight world title currently vacant, it has been speculated that the 45-year-old hero could be sought to face off against Mario Barrios for the belt. This comes after Terence Crawford moved up to 154lbs, with Pacquiao installed as a potential next opponent for "El Azteka".
The Filipino's legacy is already secure in the combat sports community, after winning world titles in eight weight divisions, including flyweight, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight honors during his career. He also is the only boxer in history to have held world titles across four separate decades.
After his retirement from matters in the ring rumors have often abounded that he would consider a return to action and Pacquiao has previously confirmed that talks are underway over a world title fight comeback. Now, the WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has backed a potential return, telling Sky Sports: "Manny Pacquiao is timeless. He's a legend."
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"We have great precedent of former champions coming back as long as they pass successfully all the medical examinations," he continued, as he left the door open. "As a former champion and as a legend, he does have the possibility of fighting for the WBC championship.
"I do like the idea very much. I think Manny Pacquiao can beat any fighter or can be competitive with any fighter today. But to have him return to the WBC more than two decades after he won his first world championship, which was the WBC flyweight title and then go all the way to welterweight in 2024 would be sensational."
As for Pacquiao, he explained last month that an agreement has not been reached with Barrios' team over a fight but confired that talks are ongoing. He said: "We're still in under negotiation and we're talking about that. The fight has not materialised yet. But that negotiation is ongoing."
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Despite his advancing years, the Filipino is convinced that he retains enough of the vitality that characterized his displays at the height of his career in the boxing ring. In fact, "Pac-Man" has posited that his near half-decade away from action can only be a postive thing if he is to stage a comeback.
Reflecting on his previous win over Keith Thurman, he vowed that he wants to push boundaries on any hypothetical return, saying: "I made history at 40 beating Keith Thurman and I feel at 45, I have a lot left in the game as I haven’t taken a lot of punishment over the last few years. I want to make history."
Meanwhile, prospective opponent Barrios appears to be open to the face off with the world-famous fighter, as he spoke with the utmost respect for his potential competitor. He added: "I'm very excited at the possibility of this fight being made.
"Manny Pacquiao is a future Hall of Famer, a legend and someone I looked up to growing up. To share the ring with him would be an honour and a dream come true."
