The Return of a Legend
As the cameras followed Manny Pacquiao through the halls of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas during late May, the 46-year-old boxing legend could be heard humming the chorus of a familiar tune. “Forever young!” he sang, a phrase that seemed to echo the aspirations of a man determined to prove that age is just a number.
This song, originally by Alphaville, has become something of a personal mantra for Pacquiao, who has been known to sing it throughout his training camp. The setting was the Wild Card Boxing Gym in Los Angeles, where he’s been working under the guidance of Hall-of-Fame trainer Freddie Roach. The gym, once a second home, now serves as a place where the “PacMan” is trying to rekindle the fire that once made him a global icon.
Pacquiao, with a record of 62-8-2 and 39 knockouts, is making a comeback after nearly five years away from the ring. His return comes against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, a 30-year-old fighter with a record of 29-2-1 and 18 knockouts. This fight will be the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view card, set for 8 p.m. ET on Prime Video PPV.
The pre-fight documentary, “Gloves Off,” captured not only Pacquiao’s singing but also his determination. As he hit pads inside the gym, he repeated a mantra: “Age is just a number, age is just a number. You can do it.” Fans across the globe are tuning in, hoping to witness a nostalgic return to the days when Pacquiao was a symbol of youth, fearlessness, and hope.
A Legacy Revisited
Pacquiao’s decision to return to boxing stems from a belief in his own abilities. “I realized I can still fight,” he said, staring out of his hotel window in Las Vegas. “I still have that passion, I still have that speed. I am blessed by God. I feel happiness in my heart that I can come back here for a fight in Vegas. It’s nice, it’s what I want.”
For many, this fight is more than just a bout; it’s an opportunity for Pacquiao to inspire young people. “This victory is very important because this is very good inspiration for young kids, not only for the boxers but also for the people who have dreams. Even though I’m 46, if you are still dreaming in your life, you can make it.”
But is this dream realistic? Many wonder whether Pacquiao, who has faced challenges in recent years, is making the same mistake as other champions who have overstayed their welcome in the sport.
A Risky Comeback
At 46, returning to face an active champion in his prime seems like a risky move. In 2019, Pacquiao shocked the world by becoming the oldest welterweight champion in history at 40. However, his performance in 2021 against Yordenis Ugas was lackluster, and he looked like a shadow of himself in a competitive decision loss.
After a disappointing presidential election in 2022, Pacquiao returned to the ring for an exhibition match against Rukiya Anpo, which exposed his physical limitations. Despite these setbacks, many believe that Pacquiao’s unique talent and experience could still give him a chance against Barrios.
A Unique Challenge
Chris Algieri, a former 140-pound world champion who lost to Pacquiao in 2014, acknowledges the difficulty of the task ahead. “If we were talking about anyone else besides Manny Pacquiao, we would be saying that there is a slim-to-none chance that he’s going to be competitive,” Algieri said. “But Manny Pacquiao is something special, he’s something different. He’s one of one; there has never been [another] Manny Pacquiao and there will never be [another] Manny Pacquiao.”
Algieri believes that while the odds are stacked against Pacquiao, the possibility of an upset cannot be ruled out. “If I was picking this fight against the Manny of 10 years ago, I think Barrios is tailor made,” he said. “He fights heavy on that front foot, he doesn’t vary that jab enough. He engages a lot and he’s there to be hit with that straight left hand.”
The Road Ahead
Barrios, who has faced some ups and downs in his career, is confident in his ability to handle the challenge. “It wasn’t my favorite performance that I’ve had,” he admitted. “There were a lot of different things that went on with that training camp. Maybe Manny and his team saw a weakness.”
Despite the challenges, both fighters are preparing for a showdown that could redefine Pacquiao’s legacy. If he manages to pull off the upset, he would join the ranks of legends like Bernard Hopkins, George Foreman, and Archie Moore, who have defied age to remain competitive in the ring.
As the fight approaches, Pacquiao remains optimistic. “The power, the speed is still there, the fire in my eyes. I can say, ‘I’m back.’ Manny Pacquiao is [full of] surprises. Since I started here in America, I always bring surprises. All those fights, I love bringing surprises. I was already a professional boxer when he was born but, the thing is, my time of boxing is not yet done.”
