The 46-year-old’s last professional fight in the ring came back in 2021, but looks set to return to competitive action later this year, much to the surprise of many

Manny Pacquiao looks set to make a stunning return to the ring later this year(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Boxing fans have been left enraged after Manny Pacquiao has been reinstated in the WBC welterweight rankings as he prepares to take on champion Mario Barrios.

Newly ranked in at number five, the 46-year-old has not boxed professionally since he was convincingly beaten by Yordenis Ugas back in 2021. On July 19, the boxing veteran is set to end a four-year hiatus from the ring in a bid to dethrone Barrios – who holds a professional record of 29-2-1.

Ever since the defeat to Ugas, Pacquiao has toyed with the idea of coming back to the professional ring. It’s certainly a stunning move given the boxer’s only action over the last four years were two low-key and uninspiring exhibition outings. The official WBC rules state that all title holders must defend their belts against a ‘Qualified Challenger’ – which includes any former WBC champion.

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 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.”

A second joked: “I’m 54 and walk on sticks but did once max out a punch ball machine that must get me a top 50 with the WBC then,” while a third posted: “It’s quite embarrassing if you asked me. This man will get mopped by the top five.” A fourth replied: “As great as he, is that’s pathetic ranking him at 5th after being out of the ring for so long.” Another fan simply tweeted: “Ridiculous and dangerous,” while another wrote: “He looked shot in his last fight which was an exhibition. He’ll lose to Barrios easily.”

Conor Benn and Devin Haney are two best-known names ranked above the iconic boxer. ‘PacMan’ is widely-regarded as one of the best boxers in the history of the sport. After he left the sport in 2016, it was initially believed he would quit for good in a bid to focus on his political campaign in native Philippines.

In an interview with ESPN last year, Pacquiao insisted he can still compete with the younger generation despite his age. “I made history at 40 beating Keith Thurman, and I feel at 45, I have a lot left in the game as I haven’t taken a lot of punishment over the last few years,” he said.