Pacquiao Returns to Vegas as an Underdog — But Don't Count Him Out Yet

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by Butch Belga

Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. Photo: Getty Images.

For the first time in years, Manny Pacquiao will step back into the boxing ring on July 19, 2025. At 46 years old, the Filipino icon is set to make his highly anticipated return to Las Vegas—once his personal coliseum of conquest—in a showdown that has fight fans buzzing and critics raising eyebrows. 

His opponent: the younger, taller, and hungrier WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. For the first time in over a decade, Pacquiao enters a bout as the clear underdog—a role few anticipated for the Filipino legend.

But if there’s one thing the world has learned, it’s this: never underestimate Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao’s return is not just about defying the odds—it’s about legacy, love for the sport, and perhaps unfinished business. Though he officially hung up his gloves in 2021 to focus on his political ambitions, including a presidential run, the fire clearly never left. His training clips have shown glimpses of the same blistering speed and footwork that made him a global sensation—and he's banking on that trademark intensity to turn back the clock one more time.

Las Vegas, of course, has long been Pacquiao’s second home. It was under those bright lights that he dismantled Oscar De La Hoya, waged wars with Juan Manuel Marquez, and made history in fight after fight. Now, the city will host what could be one final act in a career already gilded with greatness. But this time, the stakes are different. He's older, slower—on paper—and with nothing left to prove. Yet that’s exactly what makes this fight so compelling.

His opponent, Barrios, is nearly two decades younger, stands six feet tall, and has recently cemented himself as one of the rising stars in the welterweight division. With his aggressive fighting style, height, and reach advantage, Barrios poses a dangerous challenge to the Filipino icon—one that critics believe may be too much for Pacquiao at this stage in his career.

Mario Barrios (right) in action. Photo: Ring Magazine. 

But boxing's only eight-division world champion has made a career out of proving doubters wrong. After a nearly four-year hiatus following his 2021 loss to Yordenis Ugas, he is coming back for more than just one last payday. For him, this isn’t just a fight—it’s a statement. In his own words, this bout is about defending the legacy he built over decades of championship glory. He wants to end his career on his own terms, and perhaps even reclaim the very same title that slipped from his grasp before he stepped away from the sport.

Preparations for the fight have been intense. Pacquiao has resumed full training with his longtime coach, Freddie Roach, and reports indicate he’s in remarkable condition. Despite his age, he continues to showcase flashes of his trademark speed, explosive combinations, and relentless footwork—qualities that once made him the most feared fighter in the world. While ring rust and stamina will be legitimate concerns, there is no question about his motivation.

For Barrios, this is an opportunity to catapult himself into boxing’s elite tier. Beating Pacquiao, regardless of the age gap, would instantly elevate his reputation and solidify his claim as the rightful king of the welterweight division. Barrios is coming off key wins and has all the tools to trouble Pacquiao—youth, size, power, and momentum. But with that opportunity comes pressure. He won’t just be fighting Pacquiao the fighter—he’ll be facing Pacquiao the legend, the global icon who has turned back the clock on more than one occasion.

The event will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, a venue that has hosted many of Pacquiao’s greatest triumphs. From his victories over De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton to his thrilling battles with Marquez and Timothy Bradley, the Vegas stage has always brought out the best in him. This time, though, it could be his curtain call—or another legendary chapter added to his unmatched résumé.

If Pacquiao wins, he would not only reclaim a world title at an unprecedented age, but also become the oldest welterweight world champion in boxing history. More impressively, he would be the first active Hall of Famer to win a world title after induction—an achievement that would etch his name even deeper into the annals of sports history.

But win or lose, the message is clear: Manny Pacquiao is not finished. At an age when most fighters hang up their gloves for good, he’s stepping forward once more, proving that heart, pride, and love for the sport can push the limits of what’s possible.

For Filipino fans, the return is more than just a sporting event—it’s a cultural moment. Pacquiao is more than an athlete; he's a symbol of resilience and possibility. And whether this bout ends in victory or defeat, it will mark another chapter in a career that refuses to be defined by age or circumstance.

So while the oddsmakers may have already made their call, the fight game—like Pacquiao’s career—has never followed the script. Come fight night in Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao will step through the ropes once more, not as the favorite, but as the fighter with the most to fight for. And that, perhaps, makes him more dangerous than ever.