Manny Pacquiao Addresses Age Concerns Amid Return to Boxing

Boxing great Manny Pacquiao is making his return to the ring on Saturday for a bout with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

But Pacquiao is doing so after nearly four years away from the sport and at the age of 46, which has naturally led to concerns about what he has left in the tank and, more importantly, his well-being.

Despite his advanced age, Pacquiao said he has gotten the green light from both his doctor and family for his comeback fight.

“I went to my doctor and he gave me the thumbs up,” Pacquiao revealed in a Zoom interview last week, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic. “My family supported the decision, as well, because they saw my eagerness and that I was in great body condition."

Pacquiao added that he "just missed boxing" and "can still feel the fire in my heart," while also noting he believes he has what it takes to be a champion once again.

If Pacquiao is able to pull off the upset against Barrios, he'll become the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history, breaking the record he previously set in 2019 at the age of 40 after defeating then-WBA champion, Keith Thurman.

If we take his last bout four years ago into consideration, there's a good chance we won't be seeing the vintage Pacquiao, who has held titles in eight different weight classes during his illustrious career.

The Hall of Famer did not look good against Cuban-born fighter Yordenis Ugas in 2021, when Pacquiao lost via unanimous decision (115-113, 116-112, 116-112).

Now, he's nearly four years older and is facing a champion in Barrios who is 16 years younger and sports a record of 29-2-1.

But crazier things have happened in boxing, which leaves the door slightly ajar for Pacquiao to do the unthinkable.

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