Manny Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-weight world champion, is set to return to the ring in July at the age of 46 years old – but not everybody is happy about it.
The Filipino legend (62-8-2) has not fought since announcing his retirement following a decision defeat by Yordenis Ugas back in 2021. Since then the boxing great has concentrated on his political career, and his family.
READ MORE: Date AND venue change for Canelo vs Crawford announced by Turki Alalshikh
Now though the competitive fire is back for ‘Pacman’, and he is set to announce this week that he will return against Mario Barrios with the WBC world welterweight title on the line in Las Vegas. The show could take place on Saturday July 19.
Hearn vs Pacquiao vs Barrios
The reaction to news of Pacquiao’s impending return has been largely one of excitement, but one man who is definitely not on board is Matchroom Boxing supremo Eddie Hearn.
Speaking in an interview with iFL TV, he said he believes Manny has ZERO chance of beating Barrios (29-2-1). The man from San Antonio is 17 years Pacquiao’s junior.
Hearn said: “Yeah, he will never beat Barrios in a million years, number one. And I don’t even rate Barrios. But yes, if Barrios – if Manny Pacquiao went and had a big win in boxing, then of course I’d put him in with our guys, and he was WBC world champion.
“But he won’t, and he shouldn’t be fighting. And he certainly shouldn’t be fighting for the world title. But of course I’m not gonna sit here and go, ‘Oh no, it was disgraceful that he fought Barrios, so I’m – I’m standing firm and not letting any of my fighters fight him’.”
Hearn of course has a couple of men who could make a big show vs Pacquiao – notably the current IBF and WBA welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. He also has Conor Benn, who recently sold out Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for that epic showdown vs Chris Eubank Jr.
READ MORE: Moses Itauma reveals his love-hate relationship with boxing
