LIVE: Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios – WBC welterweight title fight

Manny Pacquiao motions to the crowd during a ceremonial weigh-in Friday, July 18, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

LAS VEGAS–Manny Pacquiao is on the verge of making more milestones but will need a victory over Mario Barrios to seal it on Saturday.

But even before stepping in the ring to challenge the WBC welterweight champion Barrios, Pacquiao has somewhat already assured himself of a record.

After both fighters comfortably made the 147-pound limit during Friday’s weigh-in, Pacquiao is officially making his return from a four-year retirement for his 73rd professional fight and a record 16th appearance at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Manny Pacquiao poses on the scale during a ceremonial weigh-in Friday, July 18, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

LAS VEGAS–Manny Pacquiao is officially making his ring return on Saturday four years after announcing his retirement from boxing.

His comeback drew mixed reactions. Others were concerned about the risks, considering Pacquiao’s advanced age of 46, while some were thrilled to see their hero back.

Justin Fortune, Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach, saw it in a different sense.

TGB Promotions President Tom Brown (C) looks on as Manny Pacquiao (L) and WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios (R) attend a ceremonial weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 18, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Barrios is scheduled to defend his title against Pacquiao, who announced he was coming out of retirement nearly four years after his last fight, on July 19. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

LAS VEGAS–WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios is ready for whatever tricks Manny Pacquiao has up his sleeve on Saturday.

Having spent months studying Pacquiao’s movements and perfecting his tendencies, veteran trainer Bob Santos already has a good idea of what to expect from the Hall-of-Famer.

“Knowing Manny I heard him up on the stage and he said I got a few surprises and when I hear that, I said to myself, ‘oh God here we go.’” said Santos.

Manny Pacquiao†poses during†a ceremonial weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 18, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao, who announced he was coming out of retirement nearly four years after his last fight, is scheduled to challenge WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios for his title on July 19 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

LAS VEGAS–Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios couldn’t care less about what the sports books say.

The only thing that matters for Pacquiao and Barrios is glory in their WBC welterweight world title fight on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at MGM Grand Arena in the entertainment capital here.

Barrios was impassive when told about the odds where the defending champion is a -300 favorite against Pacquiao’s +225.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 18: (L-R) Trainers Buboy Fernandez and Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao, TGB Promotions President Tom Brown, WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios and his head coach Bob Santos pose during a ceremonial weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 18, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Barrios is scheduled to defend his title against Pacquiao, who announced he was coming out of retirement nearly four years after his last fight, on July 19. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

Filipino star Manny Pacquiao comfortably made the weight for his comeback world title fight against Mario Barrios on Friday, tipping the scales at just under the 147-pound welterweight limit.

The 46-year-old eight-division world champion — who is returning to the ring after a four-year absence — weighed in at 146.8 lbs during a packed ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Manny Pacquiao and defending champ Mario Barrios face off for the final time before their all-out war for the WBC welterweight title. pic.twitter.com/PkwmwSMDMs

— Mark Giongco (@MarkGiongcoINQ) July 18, 2025

Pacquiao’s opponent in Saturday’s fight, reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Barrios, was also inside the weight limit at 146.2 lbs.

“I’m so happy I’m back because boxing is my passion and I missed boxing,” Pacquiao said after making the weight.

TGB Promotions President Tom Brown (C) looks on as Manny Pacquiao (L) and WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios (R) face off during their news conference at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on July 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Barrios is scheduled to defend his title against Pacquiao, who announced he was coming out of retirement nearly four years after his last fight, on July 19 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

LAS VEGAS–As far as trainer Buboy Fernandez is concerned, an early knockout looms when Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring on Saturday at MGM Grand here.

Fernandez predicts things won’t be looking good for Barrios as he predicts a quick end against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

“First three rounds? There’s going to be a knockout, we’re going home early,” Fernandez said in Filipino on Wednesday.

TGB Promotions President Tom Brown (C) looks on as Manny Pacquiao (L) and WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios (R) pose during their news conference at MGM Grand Hotel &; Casino on July 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Barrios is scheduled to defend his title vs Pacquiao on July 19 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

LAS VEGAS–Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios, with the WBC welterweight belt wrapped around his shoulder, faced off again before Saturday’s showdown at MGM Grand here.

The two shared smiles and exchanged pleasantries at Wednesday’s final press conference but don’t expect the same on fight night.

“Manny is a very likable person. I can’t think of anything bad to say about him other than he’s facing me for my title. It’s all smiles right now, it’s been like that since the lead-up, but come fight night, that smile is not going to be on his face and it’s not going to be on mine,” said Barrios.

TGB Promotions President Tom Brown (C) looks on as Manny Pacquiao (L) and WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios (R) face off during a ceremonial weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 18, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao makes his return to the ring against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Sunday, July 20, Philippine time.

Fans can catch Pacquiao’s awaited comeback fight on various platforms.

Inquirer Sports will be providing up-to-minute updates straight from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, for Fight Night through its special The Pacquiao Files: Pacquiao vs Barrios special page, LIVE UPDATES page, and social media platforms X and Facebook.

FILE — Manny Pacquiao and strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune. Photos by Wendell Alinea/MP Promotions

LAS VEGAS—There’s a possibility that Saturday’s WBC world welterweight title fight doesn’t go the distance.

And Justine Fortune, Manny Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach, gladly explained why it is the Filipino ring icon who would be walking away with a KO victory.

Pacquiao comes out of retirement for a stab at a ninth world title at MGM Grand here against defending champion Mario Barrios, whom Fortune practically described as someone way out of the league of the Filipino superstar.

“Barrios is not a big puncher and Pacquiao is ridiculously strong,” Fortune said on a sweltering Wednesday afternoon at Knuckleheads Boxing Gym, where Pacquiao went right back to work less than 24 hours after arriving at the entertainment capital.

Manny Pacquiao training at the Knuckleheads Boxing Gym in Las Vegas ahead of his fight vs Mario Barrios. –MARK GIONGCO/INQUIRER.net

LAS VEGAS–From the hand speed, footwork, and punching power, not much has changed for Manny Pacquiao. But recovery is a different story.

After coming back from a four-year retirement, the 46-year-old Pacquiao admits he is still getting used to the changes.

“Training’s been OK. I’m just being careful with my body recovery. It’s hard to force your body,” he said early Wednesday morning inside his suite at MGM Grand here.

Manny Pacquiao flexes his muscles after training. —MARK GIONGCO

HOLLYWOOD—With five days to go before fight night, the plan was a light workout on the final day of camp in Los Angeles before heading to Las Vegas.

Manny Pacquiao didn’t get the memo.

He was in his usual jovial yet no-nonsense mood, beaming and grinning as he pounded the mitts with longtime trainer and childhood friend Buboy Fernandez.

Strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune, wary of potential burnout and risk of injury with Saturday’s title showdown against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios just around the corner, initially wanted four rounds of mitts that turned into six.

Manny Pacquiao during a training session at Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. He is preparing for a world title fight against Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas. –MARK GIONGCO/INQUIRER.net

LAS VEGAS–Manny Pacquiao may be standing at the doorstep of history, but breaking records is just secondary to his main goal of becoming world champion again.

Pacquiao will hit two birds with one stone with a victory on Saturday here–set records and regain his world champion status–but his eyes are on the ultimate prize: The WBC welterweight crown currently held by Mario Barrios.

“[I’m motivated by] breaking my own record as the oldest welterweight champion,” said Pacquiao Tuesday after a two-hour training session at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.

Manny Pacquiao poses for photos after the end of. training session at Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. –MARK GIONGCO/INQUIRER

HOLLYWOOD—Manny Pacquiao said he finally found the remedy to the curious case of his leg cramps that had plagued his career for decades.

The culprit, according to Pacquiao, was nothing scientific, and solving it didn’t require any expertise. All it took was a minor tweak to his everyday routine.

He just hoped to have found out about it sooner.

“It took me 20 years to discover what to do to keep me from cramping up,” Pacquiao said after wrapping up his Los Angeles training camp Tuesday afternoon at Wild Card Boxing Club.

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach (L) looks on as Fillipino boxer Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao smiles during a media day workout at Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles on June 25, 2025. Manny Pacquiao will take on US boxer Mario “El Azteca” Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on July 19, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines–If there’s one who can fully relate to Manny Pacquiao and fighting at an advanced age, it’s Bernard Hopkins.

Hopkins is the oldest boxer to win a world title after he unified the light heavyweight belts at 49 years old with a split decision victory over Beibut Shumenov in April 2014.

Pacquiao will attempt to become the second oldest fighter in boxing history when he challenges WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Manny Pacquiao is making his return to the ring after four years as he takes on a younger Mario Barrios on July 20 (Philippine time).

HOLLYWOOD — Manny Pacquiao is turning 47 this December. On Saturday, he will challenge WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Perhaps the biggest question that hovers as Pacquiao’s ring return after a four-year retirement nears is, can he still fight at the top level at 46 years old?

Without a doubt, Pacquiao believes so.

“I always thought, even when I hung up my gloves, ‘I can still fight, I can still feel my body, I can still work hard,’” Pacquiao said during a press conference last month.

Throughout Manny Pacquiao’s decades-long and glittering boxing career, the Filipino legend has delivered countless classics against a slew of the sport’s greats, elevating him to rarefied air.

Here’s a quick trip down memory lane from Pacquiao’s path to boxing stardom and rise to legendary status.

As the old sports adage goes, Father Time is undefeated. But every once in a while, someone walks in and defies the odds.

Manny Pacquiao will attempt to do just that when he steps into the ring, coming off a four-year retirement, on July 19 against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

At 46 years old, Pacquiao is chasing history. Beating Barrios won’t just add to his legend; it also makes him one of the oldest boxers to win a world title.

MANILA, Philippines–While Manny Pacquiao needs no introduction, his Mexican-American opponent Mario Barrios has yet to fully establish a name for himself despite his WBC welterweight champion status.

A victory over Pacquiao in the biggest bout of Barrios’ career changes the narrative. Until then, the San Antonio, Texas native still has a reputation left to build.

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