According to ESPN and confirmed by two boxing officials, Pacquiao, an eight-division champion, is in serious talks to make his comeback after three years by challenging Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title.
Mario Barrios from Texas secured the WBC interim title on May 4 with a unanimous decision win over Fabian Maidana, including a third-round knockdown. Barrios, who previously held the WBA 140-pound title, is expected to be promoted to full WBC welterweight champion following Terence Crawford’s designation as champion in recess as he prepares for his August 3 title fight at 154 pounds in Los Angeles.
Watch Barrios vs. Maidana highlights: Watch
Pacquiao’s last fight was in August 2021, where he lost by unanimous decision to Ugas.
Recently, Pacquiao expressed his eagerness to finalize a significant bout after completing an agreement for an exhibition match in Japan. He had also considered a fight against welterweight contender Conor Benn in Saudi Arabia earlier this year, but Benn is currently banned due to a failed drug test.
Click here to read more about the situation with Conor Benn.
Pacquiao has reconnected with Premier Boxing Champions after previously working together, and PBC believes Pacquiao can still perform at a high level and potentially win a welterweight title for the fifth time.
Pacquiao's advisor, Sean Gibbons, plans to visit Pacquiao in the Philippines by June 17 to hopefully finalize the agreement.
Image Credit: Artist Defi Saul