Manny Pacquiao Promises 'The Old Manny Will Be Back' in Boxing Return vs. Barrios

At 46 years old, boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is promising that "the old Manny will be back" as he makes his professional return against Mario Barrios on July 19.

"For this camp, I'm back with my longtime trainer, Freddie Roach," Pacquiao said, per ESPN's Andreas Hale. "The old Manny will be back."

The last time Pacquiao stepped into the ring was in 2021 at age 42, where he looked a step slower in a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas.

Pacquiao holds a professional record of 62-8-2 with 39 KOs in his career. If he wins in his return he will become first International Boxing Hall of Famer to capture a world title and would also become the oldest fighter to win a welterweight championship, surpassing his own record set at age 40. 

"I like making history," Pacquiao said, per Hale. "It's nice."

Pacquiao has taken the last few years off, only competing in two exhibition matches since his final fight in 2021. 

With the opportunity to jump into a title fight in his return, Pacquiao is ready to jump back into action. 

"I always stay in shape, but once I started seriously working out again, I realized that I still had that passion and ability in me," Pacquiao said, per Hale. "I went to my doctor and everything was perfect. My medicals came back great. I feel good, and I'm ready to do it again."

The lingering question on everyone’s mind: if Pacquiao secures a victory, will he look to extend his legendary career—or finally ride off into the sunset?

"It's hard to say right now," Pacquiao said, per Hale. "It's one fight at a time. Once I get through this, we can talk about the next fight."