Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is making history once again—this time as the first-ever International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) inductee to return to the ring for a world title fight.
Discover why Manny Pacquiao was hailed as the 21st century’s greatest boxer in this feature.
The eight-division world champion is set to be honored during the IBHOF Induction Weekend from June 5 to 8, 2025, in Canastota, New York. Yet just weeks later, on July 19, the 46-year-old is coming out of retirement to challenge WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios in Las Vegas.
“I’m excited for the fans to give a good fight,” Pacquiao said in the Los Angeles press conference on June 3, 2025. “Boxing is my passion, the way I train, the way I work hard, punishing myself to the limit to make sure that I can give a good fight.”
Despite being out of the ring since his 2021 loss to Yordenis Ugas, Pacquiao remains undeterred by the challenges. “I rest four years in my body and now I’m back,” he said. “I still have the fire, the determination, eagerness to train hard, to work hard.”
Barrios, 30, acknowledged the magnitude of facing the boxing icon. “I’m defending my WBC title against the legend,” he said. “This is huge… I know if at any point he has me hurt, he’s going to get me out of there without a doubt.”
IBHOF announced the induction of Manny Pacquiao:
With a record of 62 wins (39 KOs), 8 losses, and 2 draws, Pacquiao is no stranger to defying expectations. In 2019, he became the oldest welterweight champion after beating Keith Thurman. He now eyes another milestone—becoming the first Hall of Famer to win a world title after induction.
“Yes, I’m back,” Pacquiao smiled when asked if this bout signals a new run.
Watch Manny Pacquiao declare, “I’m not done yet.”:
The International Boxing Hall of Fame describes Pacquiao as one of the sport’s most decorated fighters, having claimed world titles from flyweight to super welterweight. He was elected in December 2024 and joins fellow inductees, such as Vinny Paz and Michael Nunn, in the Class of 2025.
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