MANILA, Philippines — Boxing great Manny Pacquiao is coming out of retirement to fight Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight crown in July.
Pacquiao’s team made the announcement Thursday, just hours after he conceded 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,” the news release read.
It was not clear if the fight at a Las Vegas venue to be decided is a one-off or if 46-year-old Pacquiao is coming out of a four-year retirement to box on a full-time basis. Asked to clarify, his communications officer Joey Hernal said the media should wait for Pacquiao’s own news conference.
In the statement, Pacquiao promised to continue serving the country despite losing in the mid-term elections.