MANNY PACQUIAO, the Filipino boxing legend, is out to prove that age is just a number as he begins his training camp in Los Angeles (LA) in preparation for his comeback fight against Mexican-American Marrio Barrios.
Pacquiao recently lost his Senate race in the 2025 National and Local Elections, which was held on May 12, 2025. He finished 18th with 10,397,133 votes, considerably below the ‘Magic 12’ senate winners.
Now, turning his attention back to his first love, the 46-year-old Pacquiao officially arrived in LA on Monday (PH Time) to begin his training camp for a spectacular comeback to the ring against an up-and-coming talent in Barrios.
Marathon Continues
Pacquiao began working out with his team at Pan Pacific Park to go ahead of the long process of getting back into form. This would be his first professional fight since Yordenis Ugas in 2021, which ended in defeat.
Still, the Filipino pride is more than eager to take the high road, to return to the ring and fight like he once did. While the job is challenging, Pacquiao is ready to prove himself once more.
“This is the beginning of another chapter. I’m inspired, I’m motivated, and I’m ready to show the world that I still have what it takes,” he said. “Laban ito para sa bayan. Para sa lahat ng naniniwala na hindi pa tapos ang laban.”
Shortly after losing to Ugas, Pacquiao decided to take a greater step by announcing his retirement and his plans to run for presidency in the 2022 elections. However, he lost, as he did in his most recent Senate bid.
Is This A Good Move?
The boxing community, particularly in the Philippines, would not want to pass up the opportunity to see Pacquiao fight again. However, concerns about doing so given his age are understandable at this stage.
Pacquiao’s career record was 62-8-2 with 39 knockouts, whereas Barrios’ record was 29-2-1 with 18 knockouts, and he won the interim WBC welterweight title by a unanimous decision over Ugas.
Just like the fans, his son Jimuel, who could make his debut on his father’s card this summer, expressed his reservations about his father’s attempt to return to the ring in a Sports Illustrated report.
“I mean, it makes sense,” Jimuel said about people having concerns about his father fighting against Barrios. “He’s 46 now. And even me, as his son, I love him, he’s my dad. There’s also concern there, you know?”
“But I believe in him. He has shown us that he stays in shape year around and all that. So weight is not gonna be a problem, fitness is not gonna be a problem,” he added.
The lone eighth-division world champion will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June. He plans to stay in the US in case his fight for the WBC welterweight title against Barrios on July 19 goes ahead.
