Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring, but under which condition?
The Filipino legend wants to return to the ‘sweet science’, but for him to be able to do that, he will need to accept one condition.
Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao wants to return to boxing. The former wight-division champion has already shown interest in fighting Mario Barrios for the World Boxing Council (WBC) at Welterweight. However, the organization’s president Mauricio Sulaiman put one condition for him to step into the ring again.
The Pac-Man retired in 2021 when he lost to the Cuban Yordenis Ugas via unanimous decision in a fight for the WBA belt. Pacquiao decided to hang up the gloves, but shortly after he wanted to return to the ‘sweet science’, although he didn’t make the move.
Pacquiao is considered one of the best boxers of his generation and boxing history. In 2015, he took on Floyd Mayweather Jr. in one of the biggest fight purses ever. The Filipino legend took home around $80 million, while the American earned $120 million.
What’s the condition for Pacquiao to be able to return to boxing?
The WBC president stated that before a boxer like Pacquiao can return to fight for a world title, he must pass a series of medical examinations to get the organization’s approval, as they want to confirm there’s no health risk for the boxer.
“We have great precedent of former champions coming back as long as they pass successfully all the medical examinations. As a former champion and as a legend, he does have the possibility of fighting for the WBC championship”, Sulaiman said in an interview for Sky Sports.
Before Pacquiao returns to the ring professionally, he will hold an exhibition match this month. The Kibawe native is expected to return to the ring and be ready to fight top boxers again this year.
“Manny Pacquiao is timeless. He’s a legend. I do like the idea very much. I think Manny Pacquiao can beat any fighter or can be competitive with any fighter today”, Sulaiman added.
The WBC welterweight world title is vacant after Terence Crawford moved up to 154 lbs. The Asian fighter is interested in that belt and could face Mario Barrios in a championship clash.