Manny Pacquiao, the legendary boxer, is set to make a highly anticipated return to the ring at the age of 46. His upcoming fight against Mario Barrios for the WBC world welterweight title in Las Vegas marks his first professional bout since August 2021. Pacquiao, who has won 62 of his 72 professional fights, expressed both excitement and concern about his return.

Pacquiao's Concerns and Excitement "I'm so excited for this fight because I want to prove to the fans that Manny Pacquiao is still there. And it's nice to be back," Pacquiao said. However, he also admitted, "I'm worried for my reputation. But I'm making sure that I'm not a kind of fighter like other fighters that come back but they are not showing what they did before."

Challenging a Younger Opponent Mario Barrios, aged 30, is 16 years younger than Pacquiao and boasts a record of 29 wins, one draw, and two losses in his 32 professional fights. This age difference adds an extra layer of challenge for Pacquiao, who aims to set a new record as boxing's oldest welterweight world champion.

A Legendary Career Pacquiao is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time and is the only boxer to win world titles in eight different weight divisions. His recent involvement in politics in his native Philippines has not diminished his passion for boxing. "The fire in my eyes, in my heart, is still there," he affirmed.

Support from Family and Coaching Staff Pacquiao also shared that he sought the approval of his family before deciding to return. "I asked my family if they agreed with me or not. If they didn't agree, then I'm not going to come back because I respect my family and I love my family. But they said 'yes you can fight, you still have that power and speed and you are dedicated'. Because I'm a disciplined person."

His coaching staff, including Freddie Roach, Buboy Fernandez, and Justin Fortune, have been supportive of his return. "They're very happy with my passion. They're very happy with my training. They're very happy with my speed and power," Pacquiao added.

Conclusion As Pacquiao steps back into the ring, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if the boxing legend can once again prove his mettle and add another chapter to his storied career.