British Champion Admits 'Shame' About Reason Manny Pacquiao Might Be Fighting

In almost exactly one month, Manny "Pac Man" Pacquiao will be entering the ring against reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, in what will be Pacquiao's first professional bout since suffering a unanimous decision defeat to Yordenis Ugás on August 21, 2021. It will also be nearly six years to the day since Pacquiao last secured a win in a professional fight, when he beat Keith Thurman to win the WBA super welterweight title on July 20, 2019.

There are a lot of questions about why Pacquiao is deciding to return to the ring at this point in his career. While he has asserted that he's doing so because he loves and misses the sport, that hasn't stopped some from surmising that perhaps he's lacing the gloves up again for the money.

While it's no secret that boxers are prizefighters, the thought of a 46-year-old Pacquiao deciding to put himself in harm's way for a paycheck isn't sitting well with many.