Manny Pacquiao Wants Mario Barrios’ Belt

Manny Pacquiao will be returning to the boxing ring as he’s rumored to fight Mario Barrios in his return.

Pacquiao is one of the best boxers in recent memory, and he is focused on winning a welterweight title for a record sixth time, which would allow him to be considered one of the best 147lbs boxers ever.

“That’s why he’s boxing’s only eight-time champion,” Pacquiao advisor Sean Gibbons told BoxingScene on Wednesday while updating negotiations to make a Pacquiao welterweight title bout against newly anointed WBC champion Mario Barrios. “Manny loves the competition. He loves doing things people don’t believe he can do.”

Manny Pacquiao has already started a training camp for the fight, despite it not being official. But, assuming the fight does happen, Gibbons says Pacquiao is focused on winning and becoming a champion again.

“Can you imagine him winning another one all these years later?” Gibbons asked. “It’s so crazy how life goes full circle. Look, the fans want to see Manny Pacquiao one more time. What happened last time [a 2021 WBA welterweight title loss in Las Vegas to then-champion Yordenis Ugas] left so many people leaving that arena depressed. Manny should have won. He wants to win again. I’ve been with him in training. He’s fast, he’s quick, he’s the Manny of five to 10 years ago. Let’s be honest, 80 percent of Manny Pacquiao beats most of the guys out there today.”

Manny Pacquiao hasn’t fought professionally since August of 2021 when he suffered a decision loss to Yordenis Ugas.