Manny Pacquiao return locked in for blockbuster Tim Tszyu card

Tom Naghten

•
Manny Pacquiao return locked in for blockbuster Tim Tszyu card image

Getty Images/No Limit Boxing

Boxing legend and eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao has officially announced his return to the ring at the age of 46.

As previously reported, Pacquiao will challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight world title at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, July 19.

Significantly for Australian fans, the fight is set to headline an event which will also feature Tim Tszyu's high-stakes rematch with Sebastian Fundora.

MORE: 'Round 13': Tszyu first words on 'dog fight' rematch with Fundora

Pacquiao took to social media on Wednesday to confirm the news that he'd be returning to the sport's highest level, four years after seemingly retiring from boxing.

Last out in August 2021, Pacquiao was defeated by Yordenis Ugas, seeing his record slip to 62-8-2.

Since then, "PacMan" made an unsuccessful run at the presidency of the Philippines, while he also recently failed in a bid to return to the country's senate.

Pacquiao is already the oldest welterweight world champion, having defeated Keith Thurman in 2019 at the age of 40.

If he was to beat Barrios, he would become the second-oldest world champ in boxing history, behind only Bernard Hopkins, at 49, and several months older than George Foreman.

Barrios (29-2-1) represents a stern test for Pacquiao, with the 30-year-old Texan claiming a comfortable victory over Ugas just two fights back.

Tszyu was recently asked about the prospect of fighting on the same card as the Filipino legend.

“Not 100 per cent guaranteed yet but whatever it is, to be fighting on a Manny Pacquiao card would be a real big blessing,” Tszyu said.

“To be fighting on his undercard would be pretty awesome. Fingers crossed.”

According to The Ring, in addition to Fundora vs. Tszyu 2, Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz is also set to fight on the card.

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.