Latest news with #FreddieRoach
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Manny Pacquiao says return to boxing goes beyond comeback fight: 'The book of politics is closed'
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Manny Pacquiao says he is done with politics, and he's back in boxing to stay. Pacquiao's ring return at 46 years old is not just for one farewell bout, either: The former eight-division world champion intends to fight on indefinitely. 'Right now, the book of politics is closed,' Pacquiao told The Associated Press on Tuesday in Los Angeles. 'It's not even in my mind. I'm focusing on my career as a boxer again.' The comeback starts July 19, when Pacquiao returns from a four-year layoff and attempts to break his own record by becoming the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history. The former senator and presidential candidate in his native Philippines will take on WBC champ Mario Barrios in Las Vegas. As Pacquiao's fame and fortune grew in the previous decade, he added a second career as a politician to his already busy life. He was a senator from 2016 until 2022, when he finished third in the Philippines' presidential election. He ran to reclaim a seat in the Senate this year, but finished 18th in the midterm elections. After that defeat last month, Pacquiao quickly announced plans to return to the ring — and now that he's back in Los Angeles training with Freddie Roach, Pacquiao made it clear that he wishes he never left boxing. 'I can still do my job in boxing,' Pacquiao said. 'I'm not done yet. The fire, the determination, the eagerness to train and work hard, it's still there. It's amazing.' Pacquiao hasn't fought since losing a decision to Yordenis Ugás in August 2021, but he says he dearly missed the sport from the moment he stepped away. He beams when he speaks about honing his craft with Roach, the fun of working out each day with his extensive team — and even the promotional publicity tasks that go along with being one of the most famous athletes on the planet. 'That moment when I announced I was hanging up my gloves four years ago, I was so sad,' Pacquiao said. 'I couldn't avoid the tears coming out of my eyes. I really missed boxing. For however many months, I was like, 'I'm not a boxer anymore?'' He filled the time away with nonstop sports endeavors at his Philippines estate, where he has a full boxing gym, a covered basketball court, a tennis court and facilities for badminton, pickleball and tennis. He also ran in his huge backyard, staying in shape on the one-kilometer expanse. Pacquiao claims his famed hand speed and athleticism are still there, and he feels refreshed after four years of not getting hit. But Pacquiao also realizes his fans could be worried about a comeback because of his unimpressive effort against Ugás, who soundly outboxed him four years ago. Pacquiao says he was undone in 2021 by numerous distractions — his imminent presidential run, a hefty lawsuit filed against him by a management company, and even an ill-advised massage shortly before the bout that left him painfully sore on fight night. 'I was so bothered,' he said. 'I did a lot of things that aren't good for me.' Pacquiao will interrupt his training this week only for a celebration of his career: He will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame this weekend in upstate New York, and then he'll return to Roach's Wild Card Gym. Pacquiao's return bout will be seen worldwide on Amazon Prime pay-per-view, and he seems likely to capture an audience of fans who remember his incredible prime. Pacquiao had his first professional fight in January 1995, four months before Barrios was born. 'He's a hard guy to dislike,' Barrios said. 'A legend is going to be across from me. I have all the respect for him outside the ring, but inside the ring, he's just another man trying to take what's mine.' Pacquiao was jovial and excited throughout the news conference at a theater in downtown Los Angeles, radiating a youthful vigor while promoting a card stacked with fighters from another generation. He seems confident he can carry that energy into the ring against Barrios. But Pacquiao also has firsthand experience of the ugliness that can consume fighters who hang on a bit too long. After all, he moved up two weight classes and ended the decorated career of Oscar De La Hoya in December 2008, stopping the Golden Boy after eight one-sided rounds. Pacquiao says his fans shouldn't worry. He's back where he belongs. 'I returned because I missed boxing,' he said. 'I hope I can entertain you guys.' ___ AP boxing:
The Independent
03-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Manny Pacquiao shares realisation and ‘perfect' news that inspired comeback
Manny Pacquiao has shared the revelation that inspired his return to professional boxing after a four-year absence, as the 46-year-old prepares to face Mario Barrios. On 19 July, Pacquiao will challenge Barrios, 30, for the WBC welterweight title, aiming to break his own record as the division's oldest-ever world champion. Pacquiao set the current record at 40 years old, when he beat Keith Thurman in 2019, while his most recent pro bout was a loss to Yordenis Ugas in 2021. The Filipino icon has not boxed professionally since, though he fought kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in an exhibition last summer. 'I like making history, it's nice,' a smiling Pacquiao told ESPN this week. 'I always stay in shape, but once I started seriously working out again, I realised that I still had that passion and ability in me. 'I went to my doctor and everything was perfect. My medicals came back great. I feel good, and I'm ready to do it again. 'I trained wrong for that [Ugas] fight. My legs began cramping, and I couldn't move. He was a very slow opponent, and I couldn't believe that I couldn't move my feet or my legs. But for this camp, I'm back with my longtime trainer, Freddie Roach. The old Manny will be back. 'It's hard to say right now [if I'll box again after the Barrios bout]. It's one fight at a time. Once I get through this, we can talk about the next fight.' WBC rules state that all title holders must defend their belts against a 'Qualified Challenger', including any former WBC champion. As such, Pacquiao, who recently re-entered the WBC rankings at No 5, is eligible for a title shot against Barrios. Pacquiao, who will enter the Las Vegas fight with Barrios (29-2-1, 18 knockouts) with a pro record of 62-8-2 (39 KOs), is widely considered one of boxing 's all-time greats. He is the sport's only eight-weight world champion. He is also known for his political endeavours in his home country of the Philippines, where he served as a senator from 2016 until 2022. He also ran for president in 2022 but was unsuccessful, and last month came up short in a senatorial race.
The National
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Manny Pacquiao to make stunning ring comeback against Mario Barrios in July
Boxing great Manny Pacquiao is gearing up for a grand return to the ring after announcing that he is coming out of retirement to fight Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight crown on July 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. 'I'm back. On July 19, I return to the ring to face WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Let's make history!' Pacquiao said in social media posts. Pacquiao's team had earlier announced that the Filipino legend is planning to make a comeback after conceding defeat in a bid for another seat in the Philippines Senate. 'His comeback aligns with his scheduled induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June, capping a storied sports legacy that continues to inspire millions of Filipino people,' an earlier statement said. The 46-year-old has not fought since defeat to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021. It is yet unclear if the fight in Las Vegas is a one-off or if boxing's only eight-division champion is coming out of retirement full-time. Pacquiao has already shared footage of him working with his long-time trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. His eldest son, Manny Pacquiao Jr, 24, has also been working with Roach and is expected to make his professional debut on the undercard. July 19 is set to be the summer's biggest night of boxing with the rematch between Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora slated to be the co-main at the MGM Grand Arena, and the event coming on the same day as Oleksandr Usyk's heavyweight title defence against Daniel Dubois in London. In an earlier statement, Pacquiao promised to continue serving the country despite losing in the midterm elections. 'I may not have won in my run for the Senate, but I am totally grateful for each vote, each prayer and support,' Pacquiao said. 'The fight continues. Service continues. For God. For the country. For each Filipino.' Pacquiao previously served as a senator from 2016-22. He then made a bid for the presidency in 2022 elections but failed. A world champion in eight divisions from flyweight to super welterweight, Pacquiao appeared to end a 26-year career in 2021 with a record of 62-8-2 (39 KO's). Barrios retained the WBC welterweight belt with a draw against Abel Ramos last November in Arlington, Texas. Those close to the Pacquiao camp had said that the boxing great believes he still has a few years left in him. 'Manny feels good and that he still has it in him to compete at that level. He feels he can still fight two or three more times, this year, next year and maybe even into 2027,' a source close to Pacquiao told The National.
The National
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Manny Pacquiao eyes astonishing comeback: 'He still has two or three fights in him'
Manny Pacquiao is closing in on a return to boxing and hopes to fight two or three more times before hanging up his gloves once and for all. The Filipino legend, who will be inducted into the hall of fame next month as boxing's only eight-division champion, has an agreement in place to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title in Las Vegas on July 19. It is understood terms were agreed following face to face talks between Pacquiao, representatives of Barrios and promoters Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) in the Philippines last week. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman gave the bout his blessing while attending the Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez-William Scull event in Saudi Arabia at the weekend, describing it as a 'great fight'. The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas has been lined up as a venue, but Pacquiao wants to wait until after the upcoming elections in his homeland before making a final decision and announcing his plans. The 46-year-old, who has not fought since defeat to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021, is in a tight race for a seat in the Senate of the Philippines, with voters going to the polls on May 12. 'Manny feels good and that he still has it in him to compete at that level. He feels he can still fight two or three more times, this year, next year and maybe even into 2027,' a source close to Pacquiao told The National. It is understood Pacquiao is already in training and is not fazed by the short turnaround between the elections and a potential July 19 bout. He insists he needs only a 30-day camp and sparring to be ready and would travel to the US and reunite with long-time trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. A bout against Barrios has been discussed for some time and Pacquiao had been keen to bring it to the UAE. He considers Dubai his second home, possesses a golden visa and held talks with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council about staging the Barrios fight in the UAE capital. Last November he put on a show for thousands of fans at Global Village before returning to take in the New Year celebrations at Burj Khalifa. He has numerous business dealings in the UAE and plans to open both a boxing museum and academy in Dubai. 'We are working right now, probably after this week we can finalise everything for the fight here in Abu Dhabi,' Pacquiao told The National back in January. 'We are still negotiating. We were planning to fight in the United States in July but why not here? Bring [Barrios] here. It's going to be the third week of July in Abu Dhabi for a world championship. We have had talks with his promoter.' As Pacquiao revealed then, the fight is indeed slated for the third week of July, but the venue will be in Las Vegas with the PBC eager to stage the event stateside. Should he return to the ring for the first time since 2021 then it would take his record-breaking career into a 30th year having debuted, aged 16, back in 1995. Pacquiao is the holder of several world records, including being the only boxer to lift a world title in four different decades. He previously served as a senator of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.
