Manny Pacquiao is a step closer to his controversial comeback at the age of 46 after re-entering the welterweight rankings.

The legendary Filipino is set to face a man almost two decades younger than him this summer, WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, 29.

Pacquiao was last in action in 2021, losing on points against Yordenis Ugas. He looked a shadow of his former self in that performance.

So fans and pundits alike have been perturbed by the former eight-division champion’s return to professional action, concerned he will get hurt.

But it seems he is pushing on with the plan and has slotted back into the rankings at No 5 in the 147lbs division.

Pacquiao has competed in exhibition events since his last professional defeat, albeit at a completely different level.

Manny Pacquiao has re-entered the rankings at No 5 ahead of his controversial return

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Pacquiao was well beaten in his last professional outing back in 2021 by Yordenis Ugas (right)

He produced a lacklustre showing against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo last July and there are fears his body simply cannot hold up at elite level anymore.

But WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman recently confirmed the comeback is on, saying: ‘At this time, Mario Barrios is going to fight Manny Pacquiao in July.

‘That’s a tremendous fight. Manny Pacquiao’s first [world] 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.’

The man himself insisted last year than 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 told ESPN.

Amir Khan is among those who fear for Pacquiao and he told Mail Sport: ‘I mean, it shocked me a little bit.

‘I know Barrios really well — he’s still young, he still has that fire in his belly, and he will give him big problems. Barrios has been looking really good in his last couple of fights, whereas Manny obviously lost his last fight.

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Amir Khan does not understand why the Filipino legend is taking risks with his health

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Mario Barrios is much younger than Pacquiao and will have a speed and power advantage

‘With Manny, I think he’s way past that age where we don’t want him to get hurt. He’s always one punch away from getting hurt. He’s only getting older. I’m sure he’s nearly touching 45 or something’.

‘When told Pacquiao was actually 46, Khan said: ‘Wow. So almost 50. Older than I thought. So even more to the point.’

Khan went on to add: ‘I’m sure he wants to become a world champion. And yeah, looking at him and looking at styles — styles make fights — he has a good chance of winning.

‘But like I said, he’s always one punch away from getting hurt. So doesn’t he want to just enjoy himself now? He had a hard career all his life. Why not sit back and relax?’