Four years after his last fight ended in a disappointing loss, the legendary Manny Pacquiao is back in the ring and challenging for another world title.
The 46-year-old will face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday – but questions remain as to whether Pacquiao, widely regarded as one of the best boxers in history, can mount a serious challenge at such an advanced age.Here’s what you need to know about the living legend’s boxing comeback against Barrios:
Why is Pacquiao making a comeback?
Pacquiao, a Hall of Famer boxer, shrugged off concerns about his comeback and says he understands the risks of reentering the ring against a competitor like Barrios: A man 16 years his junior, 16cm (6.3in) taller, and the two-time reigning WBC welterweight title holder at the peak of his powers.
“I’m coming back because boxing is my passion,” Pacquiao said in an interview with ESPN. “It’s all I think about, and I really like to make history.”
The Filipino icon says this is not a one-off fight but rather a first step in an extended return to boxing. Pacquiao claims his motivation to fight again is primarily about preserving his competitive legacy rather than money.
“I’m worried for my reputation,” Pacquiao said in an interview with the BBC. “But I’m making sure that I’m not a kind of fighter like other fighters that come back but they are not showing what they did before.”
What’s at stake for Pacquiao
A loss for Pacquiao against Barrios would likely be the final nail in the coffin of a superlative boxing career.
