Manny Pacquiao enters WBC welterweight rankings ahead of comeback

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has re-entered the WBC welterweight rankings at number five ahead of his mooted return to the boxing ring.

Filipino icon Pacquiao last fought professionally in August 2021, losing out to Cuban Yordenis Ugas via unanimous decision for the WBA welterweight title.

It is now being reported that the WBC are primed to sanction a fight between Pacquiao and current welterweight titlist Mario Barrios this summer.

Speaking to Boxing Media last week, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said:

At this time, Mario Barrios is going to fight Manny Pacquiao in July.

"That's a tremendous fight. Manny Pacquiao's first [world] title was at flyweight, with the WBC.

"And [now] he wants to retire as the WBC champion, so he's fighting in the welterweight division."

The potential meeting between Pacquiao and 29-year-old Barrios is reportedly in the works for 19th July in Las Vegas.

The fight announcement appears to be nearing following the re-introduction of Pacquiao in the WBC rankings, coming in at number five in the welterweight division.

Ahead of Pacquiao in the top five are Lithuanian Egidijus Kavaliauskas, Great Britain's Conor Benn, Frenchman Souleymane Cissokho, American Devin Haney and reigning champion Barrios.

Barrios, who hails from San Antonio, Texas, was elevated to WBC welterweight champion in June 2024 following previous belt holder Terence Crawford's decision to move up in weight.

The American boasts a professional boxing record of 29-2-1, with his two defeats coming back-to-back against Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman in June 2021 and February 2022 respectively.

James Wilson

• • 
  •