Canelo Alvarez lauds ‘Pacquiao’ in anticipated Clash vs. Barrios

Manny Pacquiao, the legendary boxing icon, is just weeks away from an extraordinary return to the ring at age 46—captivating fans and analysts alike.

As the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, Pacquiao is set to challenge the formidable WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 at the illustrious MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

After a nearly four-year hiatus following his unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas in 2021, Pacquiao took time to reflect and eventually announced his retirement, earning a well-deserved induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Now, defying both age and expectations, the Filipino legend is poised to make history once again by reclaiming the welterweight world title—and breaking his own record as the oldest champion in the division. He first achieved that feat in 2019 when he defeated Keith Thurman at age 40.

As the fight approaches, undisputed super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez has expressed deep respect for Pacquiao.

“It’s going to be a great fight. Manny consistently brings everything he has to create an exciting spectacle,” Canelo said in an interview.

Despite entering the ring as the underdog—facing Barrios’ speed and size advantage—Pacquiao remains steadfast in his ambition. A victory would not only restore his world title but could also set the stage for a high-stakes showdown with Gervonta "Tank" Davis, one of boxing's most electrifying stars.

With stakes this high, the world will undoubtedly be watching as Pacquiao seeks to etch his name even deeper into the annals of boxing history.