‘The old Manny will be back’: Pacquiao expects a return to form in Barrios fight

Manny Pacquiao anticipates a throwback performance when he takes on Mario Barrios, July 19.

As Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) prepares to end his retirement for a welterweight title shot against WBC champion Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs), he tells ESPN that he looks forward to making history as being the first fighter inducted into the Hall of Fame to win a world title.

Pacquiao looked past it in his last professional boxing match in 2021 when the then 42-year-old dropped a decision to Yordenis Ugas, but now at 46 and with some time away from the sport, he feels rejuvenated.

“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,” he said. “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.”

Pacquiao would continue to say that he didn’t train appropriately for the Ugas fight but he’s learned from that mistake and expects to display a return to peak form in this upcoming July 19 fight.

“I trained wrong for that fight,” he said. “My legs began cramping, and I couldn’t move. He was a very slow opponent, and I couldn’t believe that I couldn’t move my feet or my legs. But for this camp, I’m back with my longtime trainer, Freddie Roach. The old Manny will be back.”

When asked about his plans going forward from this fight Pacquiao was noncommittal as to whether he’ll look to continue fighting or walk away for good, and says he’ll have to evaluate those options after the Barrios fight.