Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) is set to make his long-awaited return to the ring on July 19 in Las Vegas, where he’ll face WBC Welterweight champion Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) in a high-stakes title clash.

The 46-year-old legend hasn’t fought since August 21, 2021, when he suffered a surprising upset loss to Yordenis Ugas, prompting his initial retirement. Now, after almost four years away from competition, “PacMan” is eyeing not only redemption but also history. With a win, Pacquiao would break his own record by becoming the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history.

The stakes are elevated even further, as a victory would also position Pacquiao for a potential bout against Conor Benn, with the Filipino icon eligible to challenge the winner of that matchup. For Barrios, defending his title against one of boxing’s all-time greats adds legacy weight to his résumé, while Pacquiao enters with everything to gain—and nothing to lose.

Barrios brings height (5-foot-10), reach, and solid fundamentals into the ring. He’s a disciplined, rangy boxer-puncher with strong cardio, high output, and good movement for a fighter of his size. He’s not a one-punch knockout artist, but he’s consistent, accurate, and chips away with a mix of jabs and well-placed body shots. 

Under the guidance of trainer Bob Santos, Barrios has tightened his defense and improved his tactical awareness. His recent wins over Yordenis Ugas and Fabian Maidana showed maturity, especially in how he dictated tempo and avoided reckless exchanges.

Barrios has struggled with elite explosiveness and lateral speed. He was dropped by Gervonta Davis at 140 and outmaneuvered by Keith Thurman at 147. His defense can become predictable when pressured, especially against opponents who punch in angles or change rhythm mid-combination—something Pacquiao has made a career doing. 

While Barrios has developed solid ring IQ, he’s still learning how to handle sudden tempo shifts, particularly from awkward or unconventional punchers.

Even at 46, Pacquiao remains a unique offensive threat. His darting footwork, off-rhythm angles, and ability to explode in and out with four- and five-punch combos still unsettle conventional fighters. He carries deceptive power in both hands, often off his lead right jab, and can fluster opponents with movement they don’t see often. 

Pacquiao’s experience across eight weight divisions gives him a mental edge in big moments, and his familiarity with 12-round wars allows him to manage energy and adapt on the fly better than most.

Pacquiao’s biggest hurdle is his age and ring rust. Almost four years removed from his last fight, with diminished reflexes and potentially slower foot speed, his trademark explosiveness will be difficult to sustain across 12 rounds. He’s also no longer a natural welterweight in this era—Barrios will have size, youth, and stamina on his side. 

Pacquiao’s output has dropped in recent years, and his tendency to jump into exchanges without the same snap on his punches leaves him open to counters. Durability at 46, especially against a younger, longer fighter, is a looming question.

Pacquiao’s return at age 46 against current WBC Welterweight champion Barrios shapes up as a clash of legacy versus youth. Barrios, a naturally bigger and more active welterweight, will aim to use his reach and conditioning to control the pace. 

Pacquiao, though past his prime, still possesses unique angles, speed bursts, and the kind of experience that can’t be trained. While the Filipino icon will likely have moments of success early, expect Barrios to wear him down with volume and body work over the stretch. 

Pacquiao’s legacy guarantees he’ll be competitive in stretches, especially in the early rounds where his speed and angles can still break rhythm. But as the fight settles into the middle rounds, Barrios’ size, activity, and youth are projected to take over. 

With sharper timing and consistent pressure, Barrios is expected to outwork Pacquiao and pull away late to earn a unanimous decision—cementing his place as a legitimate champion while handing the living legend a respectful, hard-fought loss.

Pick: Mario Barrios 1.30 | Dafabet