Pacquiao Returns at 46 for WBC Welterweight Title in Las Vegas

Manny Pacquiao, the legendary Filipino boxer and eight-division world champion, is making a highly anticipated return at age 46 to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on July 19 in Las Vegas. This comeback comes after nearly four years of retirement following his last professional fight in 2021, and it has sparked mixed reactions, with some fans and analysts expressing concern over his age and recent performance decline. Pacquiao aims to break the record as boxing's oldest 147-pound world champion, joining a rare group of fighters who won titles in their mid-40s, though his style, reliant on speed and athleticism, has visibly diminished. Despite the criticism, Pacquiao remains confident and dismissive of concerns about the age gap between him and the younger Barrios. Beyond boxing, Pacquiao's legacy extends to his significant charitable contributions and humanitarian work, contrasting with the more flamboyant public personas of some peers. His return to the ring is not only about the fight but also about cementing his historical legacy both inside and outside the sport.