LOS ANGELES, United States: Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday shrugged off concerns about his decision to return to boxing at the age of 46 as he prepares for next month鈥檚 world welterweight title comeback against Mario Barrios.
The charismatic Filipino boxing icon stunned the sports world last month after announcing he would take on World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas, four years after his last fight ended in a disappointing defeat.
Pacquiao, who won 12 world titles in eight different weight classes during a glittering professional career that began in 1995, told reporters on Tuesday that the glamor of championship boxing had prompted his return.
鈥淚鈥檓 returning because I miss my boxing,鈥� Pacquiao said at a press conference in Los Angeles. 鈥淓specially these situations 鈥� being interviewed, press conference, training camp, everything like that.
鈥淚 missed that. But it has been good for me 鈥� I鈥檝e rested my body for four years. And now I come back.鈥�
Pacquiao said that he had been left devastated following his decision to retire in the wake of his loss to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
鈥淚 always thought, even when I hung up my gloves, 鈥業 can still fight, I can still feel my body, I can still work hard,鈥欌€� Pacquiao said.
鈥淭hat moment when I announced hanging up my gloves four years ago 鈥� I was so sad. I was crying, I cannot stop the tears coming out my eyes.鈥�
Pacquiao, though, revealed that working out at his home in the Philippines persuaded him he still had the fitness and strength to fight.
鈥淚 realized when I鈥檓 playing basketball, training at the gym my house 鈥� I have complete sport facilities in my house 鈥� that I still have that passion. I still have that speed and power,鈥� he said.
Some in boxing have expressed concerns about whether Pacquiao鈥檚 comeback against Barrios, who is 16 years his junior, represents a risk to the Filipino鈥檚 safety.
Addressing those concerns, Pacquiao noted that his family and loved ones were firmly behind his comeback.
鈥淚鈥檓 thankful for them for their concern,鈥� Pacquiao told AFP. 鈥淏ut the people who really concern me, is my family. My family saw how I move, saw how I train, saw my my body condition. They support me because they can see the old Pacquiao style.鈥�
Pacquiao, who has reunited with veteran trainer Freddie Roach for next month鈥檚 fight, is able to challenge immediately for a title due to a WBC rule that allows former champions to request a title fight when coming out of retirement.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman told AFP on Tuesday that Pacquiao had been cleared to return to the ring by the Nevada Athletic Commission after undergoing medical exams, describing the fighter鈥檚 comeback as 鈥渓ow risk.鈥�
鈥淢anny Pacquiao is at no higher risk than any fighter going into the ring,鈥� Sulaiman said. 鈥淢anny has rested his body for four years. He鈥檚 not a drinker. He鈥檚 not a drug user. He鈥檚 a family man that has taken care of himself. So of the different aspects of dangers, he鈥檚 at the lowest risk.鈥�
Pacquiao鈥檚 opponent, Barrios, said he would set aside the Filipino鈥檚 status as one of the most beloved fighters of his era.
鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing but good things to say about him outside the ring,鈥� Barrios said of Pacquiao. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a hard guy to dislike. But at the end of the day, you know it鈥檚 kill or be killed.
鈥淎nd I know if at any point he has me hurt, you know he鈥檚 going to get me out of there. So I just have to go in there and make sure that my hand is raised at the end of the fight.鈥�