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Manny Pacquiao's Real Reason for Boxing Return After Four Years

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated May 31, 2025 9:11 PM ET

Manny Pacquiao is returning to the ring after a four-year hiatus, with the Filipino boxing icon set to fight Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on July 19.

Pacquiao retired from pro boxing in 2021, just a month after his loss to Yordenis Ugas. In a lengthy video posted on his social media at the time, Pac-Man admitted that it was "difficult" for him to accept that his boxing days were over, adding that he "never thought that this day would come."

However, the boxing great knew he had to accept that his career was done. He had nothing but appreciation for the sport, though, noting that boxing gave him a "chance to find a way out of poverty."

Clearly, though, staying away from the sport he loves was really hard for Pacquiao. Just three years later, in 2024, he fought in an exhibition match against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo.

Now, he's getting a title shot against Barrios, even at age 46.

So why did Pacquiao decide to return to the pros despite accepting before that his time was over? Well, according to Pac-Man himself, his passion is still burning.

"I'm coming back because it's my passion," Pacquiao said in a press conference in Las Vegas on Saturday, per ESPN. "I've been gone for four years but I always think about boxing. I really missed it."

It will definitely be interesting to see how Manny Pacquiao fares and how far his passion can take him in his return to boxing. It should be noted that when he lost to Ugas, he had been out of pro boxing for two years.

Pacquiao is scheduled to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 8, so by the time he faces Barrios, he will already an official Hall of Famer.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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