Manny Pacquiao ‘can do it’ in ‘tough road’ to comeback fight

Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao poses as he passes the official weigh-in at a hotel in Tokyo on July 27, 2024 ahead of his July 28 three-round exhibition boxing match against Japanese mixed martial artist Rukiya Anpo. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines–There’s an irrefutable figure looming large as Manny Pacquiao makes his comeback fight against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas.

As the old adage goes: Father Time is undefeated. But that’s not to say it can’t be delayed and defied in boxing.

READ: Manny Pacquiao reunites with familiar faces at Wild Card

Pacquiao showing he still has it at 46. pic.twitter.com/oUXflTNNtt

— Mark Giongco (@MarkGiongcoINQ) May 20, 2025

Bernard Hopkins became the oldest boxing world champion in 2011 at 46 years old, ecplipsing the previous record by the late George Foreman. Foreman was 45 when he won the WBA and IBF heavyweight belts by knocking out Michael Moorer in November 1994.

Hopkins reset the record at 48 and again at exactly 49 years and 94 days old in April 2014 when he claimed the WBA light heavyweight strap.

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach has no doubt Pacquiao, who’s no stranger to making history after etching his name in the record books as the sport’s only eight-division champion, has what it takes to blaze the same trail.

“It’s a tough road for anyone at this age to do what Manny is trying to do. But if anyone can do it, Manny can,” Roach told The Ring via his publicist Fred Sternburg.

Roach reunited with Pacquiao on Tuesday (Manila time) at Wild Card Boxing Club.

READ: Manny Pacquiao to fight Mario Barrios in July

Pacquiao, who turns 47 in December, would be the second oldest boxer if he beats Barrios. He will be 46 years and 214 days old if he achieves the feat.

But unlike Hopkins and Foreman, Pacquiao is coming out of a four-year retirement in his bid to become world champion again.

The boxing legend hasn’t fought professionally since losing the WBA welterweight crown to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021.

Pacquiao appeared in several exhibition bouts–the most recent was last July in Saitama against Japanese kickboxer and martial artist Rukiya Anpo.