Philippines boxing legend Manny Pacquiao continues to hold a significant presence in the world of boxing, even at the age of 45. As one of the most revered athletes in the sport's history, Pacquiao's achievements span decades, making him a global icon. Despite retiring from professional boxing in 2021 to focus on his political career, Pacquiao has remained active in exhibition matches and hinted at a potential return to the welterweight division.
His promoter and the president of MP Manny Pacquiao Promotions, Sean Gibbons, recently confirmed that Pacquiao is far from done with the sport. According to Gibbons, the former eight-division world champion has "one more big fight left" in him, and he is eager to make a comeback on the global stage. Pacquiao’s return to the ring is driven by a desire to challenge for the World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title, an opportunity that has long eluded him.
Pacquiao’s focus on the WBC welterweight title comes at a time when Mario Barrios has been elevated to welterweight world champion. The WBC Board of Governors recently granted Terrence Crawford the "champion in recess" status, opening the door for Barrios to claim the vacant title. This shift in the welterweight landscape presented a golden opportunity for Pacquiao to make his comeback in a high-profile match for the championship belt.
Initial reports suggested that both Pacquiao’s camp and Barrios’ team were engaged in negotiations for a potential fight. According to Barrios’ coach, Bob Santos, discussions were moving forward positively. Santos was optimistic about the chances of securing a fight between the two fighters, acknowledging Pacquiao’s legendary status in the sport.
Mario Barrios vs. Abel Ramos is set to fight on the undercard for #PaulTyson on November 15th 🥊
— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) September 16, 2024
(via @MostVpromotions) pic.twitter.com/EFOwbMP5KA
However, despite the promising talks, Pacquiao’s dream of a comeback fight in the welterweight division has been put on hold. It was recently announced that Barrios will defend his WBC welterweight title against Abel Ramos, a seasoned Mexican boxer, in November. This decision effectively denies Pacquiao the chance to fight for the title, at least for the time being.
Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) confirmed the Barrios vs. Ramos fight, which will be a 12-round WBC welterweight championship bout. This highly anticipated matchup is set to take place on Friday, November 15, 2024, as part of the undercard for the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano super event. The event will be held at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, which boasts a seating capacity of 80,000. Additionally, the entire event will be streamed live globally on Netflix, making it one of the most widely watched boxing events in recent years.
Barrios expressed his excitement about being part of such a significant event. In a statement, the newly crowned WBC welterweight champion shared his thoughts on the opportunity:
“I’m thrilled to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event. The fight on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson card is huge, with millions watching live on Netflix. Abel Ramos is a tough Mexican fighter, just like me, so I know it will be a hell of a fight in front of my Texas people at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium. I’m also excited to showcase my indigenous roots on this global platform. Don’t miss the fight - it will be war, Puro San Antonio!”
Barrios, who hails from San Antonio, Texas, has a loyal fan base in his home state. His upcoming fight against Ramos promises to be an intense battle, with both fighters known for their grit and determination. While Barrios was keen on facing Pacquiao, the opportunity to fight on such a prominent card was something he could not pass up.
The collapse of the potential Pacquiao vs Barrios fight appears to be a result of conflicting timelines. Representatives from Pacquiao’s camp were eager to schedule the bout before the end of 2024, as the boxing legend has political commitments that would make it challenging to commit to a fight in early 2025. However, Barrios’ decision to accept the fight against Ramos on the Mike Tyson undercard left no room for a Pacquiao showdown this year.
It’s also worth noting that Pacquiao’s recent performances in exhibition fights may have played a role in the negotiations. His most recent exhibition fight was against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo at the Super Rizin 3 event in Saitama, Japan, on July 28, 2024. While the exhibition was exciting for fans, Pacquiao’s performance did not meet the expectations of many, as the bout ended in a draw. The 45-year-old struggled to land significant punches on Anpo, though he did rally in the third round to thrill the crowd.
Despite this setback, Pacquiao’s determination to continue fighting remains unwavering. His impressive career, which includes 12 major world titles across eight weight divisions, has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of all time. Pacquiao’s desire to compete for the WBC welterweight title shows that he is still hungry for success, even after more than 25 years in the ring.
As the Barrios vs. Ramos fight approaches, Pacquiao will need to reassess his options. A potential fight with Barrios could still happen in the future, depending on the outcome of the November bout. If Barrios successfully defends his title against Ramos, the possibility of a Pacquiao vs. Barrios matchup could be revisited in 2025.
However, Pacquiao’s time in the ring is limited. As he approaches his late 40s, the window for one last big fight is closing. His legacy is already secure, but a successful comeback fight for a world title would add yet another chapter to his storied career. Fans around the world continue to hold out hope that Pacquiao will have the chance to compete for a major title once more.
For now, all eyes will be on the upcoming Barrios vs. Ramos fight, which promises to be an exciting contest in its own right. Both fighters have a lot at stake, and the winner will emerge as a key player in the welterweight division moving forward.
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