WBC President Confirms Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios

The impending return of eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao appears to be all but confirmed.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman spoke to Boxing King Media about WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios' next title defense. Sulaiman confirmed that the current plan for Barrios is to face Pacquiao in the summer.

"At this time, Mario Barrios is going to face Manny Pacquiao in July," Sulaiman said in Saudi Arabia. "That's a tremendous fight."

🚨BARRIOS VS PACQUIAO IN JULY

WBC President Mauricio Sulamain confirms that Mario Barrios will defend his WBC Welterweight Title against Manny Pacquiao in July.
Pacquiao will be coming off an almost 4 year retirement.

📹:( Boxing King Media) pic.twitter.com/iNhzxHH46P
— On The Record Boxing (@OnTheRecordBox) May 2, 2025

Sulaiman said that the WBC has in its rules that a former champion of Pacquiao's standing is allowed to come out of retirement to fight for a title. He also added that Pacquiao has already been cleared by the Nevada State Athletic Commission ahead of his potential return.

Brunch Boxing first reported on Pacquiao's potential return to face Barrios on April 21 and that he's waiting for his Senate campaign to finish up on May 12 before the news can become official. BoxingScene's Lance Pugmire added further validity to the news when he spoke to Pacquiao's manager, Sean Gibbons, on April 25.

“It’s a possibility,” Gibbons told BoxingScene. “Manny is a modern-day George Foreman, Archie Moore and Bernard Hopkins."

‼️
🍨 Scoop Alert

The long-rumored bout between Mario Barrios and Manny Pacquiao is in talks for the summer, as early as July. Nothing can or will be announced until the conclusion of Pacquiao’s senate campaign in the Philippines. Election is May 12. #BrunchBoxing pic.twitter.com/c1XsEWL7u3
— Brunch Boxing (@BrunchBoxing) April 21, 2025

Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June in Canasota, N.Y. He last fought on Aug. 21, 2021, when he lost to late-replacement Yordenis Ugas by unanimous decision and announced his retirement a little over a month after the defeat. Pacquiao's last win was a split decision victory over Keith Thurman on July 20, 2019.

MORE: Manny Pacquiao Reportedly Eyeing Title Fight vs Mario Barrios This Summer

Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) was elevated to WBC welterweight champion last year after Terence Crawford vacated the title to move up in weight. In his lone title defense, he fought to a draw against Abel Ramos on Nov. 15 on the undercard of Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul. Barrios has also faced Ugas (27-6, 12 KOs), dropping him twice en route to a unanimous decision victory on Sept. 30, 2023.

Pugmire also reported that Premier Boxing Champions and TGB Promotions have a hold on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for July 19.

The Latest Boxing News

Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero Preview: Start Time, Keys To Victory, How To Watch

Teofimo Lopez vs Arnold Barboza Jr Preview: Start Time, How To Watch, Keys To Victory

Mike Tyson Previews Tonight's Fatal Fury Boxing Card In Times Square

Canelo Alvarez Reveals The Age His Wife Wants Him To Retire And How He Responded