Thu May 08 22:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Pacquiao to End Retirement, Face Barrios for WBC Welterweight Title in July

**Las Vegas, NV** – Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, fresh off his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, is set to return to the ring after a nearly four-year retirement. Sources confirmed to ESPN that Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship on July 19th in Las Vegas. The fight will be available on PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view.

Pacquiao, 46, last fought in August 2021, losing a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas. Following the loss, he announced his retirement to focus on his political career in the Philippines. However, rumors of a comeback have persisted, culminating in this title bout. The WBC president, Mauricio Sulaiman, confirmed the fight, highlighting the rule allowing former champions to request title fights upon retirement.

Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs), the current WBC welterweight champion, most recently defeated Abel Ramos. His only two losses were against Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman.

The event will also feature a rematch between unified junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora (22-1-1, 14 KOs) and Tim Tszyu (25-2, 18 KOs).

While Pacquiao’s official announcement is expected after the Philippine elections on May 12th, sources suggest this is merely a formality, with his return imminent. The fight is likely to take place at either T-Mobile Arena or the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This highly anticipated matchup marks a significant return for one of boxing’s greatest figures.

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