- Pacquiao has not fought professionally since retiring from boxing in August 2021
- However, he has said he wants to end his career with the WBC welterweight title
- The 45-year-old will face Chihiro Suzuki for the first time in an exhibition match in Japan
Manny Pacquiao’s return to boxing has been confirmed ahead of a possible world title fight next year.
The 45-year-old, who last boxed professionally in 2021, has not stepped into a ring since his exhibition fight against DK Yoo in December 2022, but is targeting Mario Barrios and the WBC welterweight title.
Amid his target, he told ESPN: “I made history when I was 40 by beating Keith Thurman and I feel like at 45 I still have a lot left in the game because I haven’t had much in the last few years received punishment. I want to make history.’
The return would mark a shock match for Pacquiao, with Barrios, 16 years younger than the veteran, suffering just two defeats in his 31-fight career to date.
However, one of those losses was against Thurman, who beat Pacquiao, and the Filipino’s warm-up fight has now been booked.
Manny Pacquiao’s return to boxing has been confirmed ahead of a potential world title fight
The 45-year-old is targeting a WBC welterweight title fight against Mario Barrios (pictured)
However, he will first face Rizin Fighting Federation featherweight champion Chihiro Suzuki (pictured) in an exhibition fight
Pacquiao will take on Rizin Fighting Federation featherweight champion Chihiro Suzuki at 150 pounds on July 28 in Saitama, Japan.
The fight will be held over three three-minute rounds to help Pacquiao stay sharp, with the fight going to exhibition status.
He had announced his retirement after losing to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021, but Manny Macquiao Promotions president Sean Gibbons has revealed that the boxing icon is looking for one last title win in his career.
“Manny is looking at the possibility of fighting Mario Barrios,” Gibbons told Sky Sports. “He likes the idea of ending his career by winning the WBC title. That was his first belt a long time ago.
‘Over the next two weeks we will try to compete.’
Pacquiao defeated Keith Thurman (right) at age 40, one of only two men to topple Barrios
His last exhibition fight was in 2022, with the July fight set to consist of three three-minute rounds.
The title the pair are aiming for was made vacant by the WBC as Terence Crawford was named ‘champion in recess’ due to his inactivity, while Barrios, the interim champion, was promoted.
Barrios won the title by beating Ugas on points in September 2023.