Amazon Prime Video’s boxing venture may finally have the big crossover event it surely craves with the comeback of modern-day ring legend Manny Pacquiao at the age of 46.
According to ESPN, the brilliant superstar from the Philippines will return to professional action on July 19 to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC world welterweight championship in Las Vegas. The same day that Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois meet at Wembley for all of the heavyweight titles.
The report says the bout would air on Amazon Prime Video as part of the streaming platform’s partnership with Al Haymon’s PBC (Premier Boxing Champions).
Pacquiao back after four years
It is four years since Pacquiao last fought, when he dropped a decision to Yordenis Ugas in 2021 in a challenge for the WBA welterweight title. That bout ended a glittering pro career which saw ‘Pacman’ (62-8-2) claim world titles in eight different weight divisions. Truly astonishing stuff.
Outside of the ring Pacquiao of course has built a high-profile career in politics. He served as a senator in his native Philippines between 2016 and 2022 and is currently in the midst of another campaign.
The report from ESPN says Pacquiao will not officially confirm his return to the ring – and the fight with Barrios – until that election race is over on May 12.
Barrios (29-2-1) claimed the WBC title at 147lbs with a split decision victory over Abel Ramos on that huge Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul show in Texas last November.
A win for Pacquiao would not only be an incredible achievement, it would surely bring calls for a money-spinning showdown vs the brilliant IBF and WBA welterweight king Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. ‘Boots’ though is aligned with rival streaming platform DAZN, so that could present a potential blocker to a unification showdown.
PBC on Amazon Prime Video
PBC’s partnership with Prime Video started back in January 2024, and it has struggled to match DAZN for huge shows and marquee matchups.
Having Pacquiao on its platform would at least inject some curiosity and crossover appeal.
