Manny Pacquiao’s Bad Idea

Inside the Matchmaker’s Eye
By Vincent Morin

For a boxer, the hardest part is knowing when to walk away. Once the lights dim and the adrenaline fades, a void sets in. That’s why so many fighters make the decision to come back—despite no longer being the athlete they once were—risking their health for a taste of the past. It’s the classic case of one fight too many.

The reflexes aren’t there anymore. The speed, the reaction time, the timing—all eroded by the years. That decline hits even harder in the lower weight classes, where power plays a smaller role than it does with the heavyweights.

This morning, Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) announced his return at age 46. Not for an exhibition. Not against a washed-up opponent. No—he’ll be challenging current WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs), a 30-year-old Texan, on July 19 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

A world champion across six weight divisions (112, 122, 130, 135, 147, and 154 pounds), the southpaw nicknamed “Pacman” has absolutely nothing left to prove inside a boxing ring. He’s a national icon in the Philippines, served as a Senator from 2016 to 2022, and has promoted fighters under the MP Promotions banner since 2006.

His storied career includes 72 pro fights, beginning in obscurity in 1995 when he was just 16. He’s logged 598 professional rounds, facing the absolute elite: Floyd Mayweather, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez (four times!), Erik Morales, and Marco Antonio Barrera, just to name a few.

And that doesn’t even count his 64 amateur bouts, three exhibition fights, and countless rounds of sparring. That’s a lot of wear and tear. Pacquiao also suffered three brutal knockouts as a pro, the last one coming at the hands of Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.

The last time he stepped into a real ring was on August 21, 2021, when he dropped a clear unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas. That night, Pacquiao looked like a shadow of his former self. He announced his retirement shortly after.

Ironically, Ugas would later lose his belt to none other than Mario Barrios in 2023—getting knocked down twice in the process.

So let’s be clear: this is a monumental task. Pacquiao will have his hands full trying to beat a prime champion after years of inactivity. He’s hoping to erase the memory of that loss to Ugas.

Since then, the Filipino icon has appeared in two exhibitions—and didn’t exactly impress. In 2022, he won a six-round decision over Korean MMA fighter DK Yoo, then went three (non-scored) rounds with Japanese K-1 kickboxing champ Rykiya Anpo last June.

In my view, the decision to face a world champion like Barrios at 46, with so little recent action, is a very bad idea. This has one fight too many written all over it.

Yes, George Foreman pulled off a historic comeback after a 10-year layoff, regaining a world title at 45. But he had several tune-up fights against lesser opponents before facing Evander Holyfield and eventually Michael Moorer for the WBA and IBF belts.

Bernard Hopkins remained world champion until he was 49, but he lived in the gym, stayed active year-round, and dedicated his entire life to the sport.

Roberto Duran had multiple comebacks. Sugar Ray Leonard shocked the world against Marvelous Marvin Hagler.

More recently, Jean Pascal taught us never to count out a veteran, with some stunning wins in comeback bouts where he was the underdog.

All eyes will be on the screen come July 19, as fans hope for another fairy-tale ending. But the phenomenal, legendary athlete that was Manny Pacquiao belongs to the past. Like Mike Tyson, he’s the subject of nostalgic dreams from fans who still believe he can shake up the boxing world one more time.

And sure, anything can happen in Sin City. I just hope Pacman doesn’t get seriously hurt—and that his team, led by the great Freddie Roach, throws in the towel before it’s too late.

In 2025, Pacquiao’s rightful place is in the Boxing Hall of Fame. Not back inside the ring.