Boxing
Manny Pacquiao returned, but why does he get the title?
Published
1 year agoon
Manny Pacquiao for the first time in returning to the ring for almost four years on July 19 to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title. The fight was officially announced on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao 46 is the only boxing champion. He fought the last time in August 2021, when he suffered a unanimous decision for Yordenis Ugas at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KO) won titles from Flyweight (112 pounds) to medium weight juniors (154 pounds) during his professional career, which began in January 1995. On June 8, he will be introduced to the International Gallery of Boxing Fame. Since Pacquiao became a professional in January 1995, only five male fighters fought after Ibhof.
According to ESPN Research Holly Holm, who entered Ibhof in 2022, will be the first woman to reach a feat when she fights with Yoland Vega.
If Pacquiao defeats Barrios, he will become the first warrior to win the world champion as Hall of Famer.
“I always bring surprises to fans,” said Pacquiao on Saturday at a press conference in Las Vegas. “I don’t take it slightly. I push myself to the border preparing for this fight.”
With everything he achieved in his career, why does Pacquiao come back? Why does he get a title after many years? And what is the chances of a 16 -year -old warrior?
Andreas Hale answers these questions and more.
Why does Manny Pacquiao come back at the age of 46?
He suggested his reasoning on Saturday, saying that he still loves this sport.
“I’m coming back because it’s my passion,” said Pacquiao. “I haven’t been for four years, but I always think about boxing. I really missed.”
His first post in social media confirming the fight on May 21 also mentioned the history of the fight. “I came back,” he wrote and ended the post “Make History!” Pacquiao tried to become the oldest warrior who won the welterweight championship, breaking the record he set in 2019 when he beat Keith Thurman to the WBA belt at the age of 40.
How does Pacquiao have the title shot in the return fight?
Although Pacquiao has not won the fight for almost six years, WBC rules say that the former master may ask for a fight for the title after retiring. After the announcement of his return, Pacquiao was No. 5 Ranking in welterweight by WBC. Devin Haney, SouleyMane Cissokho, Conor Benn and Egidijus Kavaliauskas.
What did Pacquiao look like when we last saw him in the ring?
Like an older and slower version of Pacquiao. Against Ugas, in 2021, Pacquiao lacked the work of legs and explosives, which made him the first world champion in boxing. His movements were predictable, and a technically sound boxer from Cuba, he maintained a Filipino feeling away from stab and looped with a looped right hand. It was a competitive meeting, but Ugas was a clear winner. According to Compubox, Pacquiao landed only 130 out of 815 stamps (19%). It was easily the most fatal performance of Pacquiao, because he lost Floyd Mayweather in his 2015 hit. In the last six fights, from November 2016 to August 2021, Pacquiao threw 10 less blows and landed seven less blows to the round compared to the first years from December 2008 to April 2016.
Who is Mario Barrios?
Barrios, who is a towering, lean to the 30-year fight with San Antonio, is a champion of WBC welterweight. In the amount of 6 feet, it is a nightmare for a 147-pound division due to its significant height advantage compared to most weight class. It is a high impact, which often denies its height and 71-inch range by choosing a fight inside.
But his recipe was successful in his career. After twisting Pro in 2013, Barrios went on 26-0 before Gervont Davis stopped him in 2021 in the junior combat of welterweight. Barrios lost another fight with the former welterweight champion in 2022, but in the last four fights he became undefeated, including a unanimous victory towards the last man who defeated Pacquiao in Ugas in 2023 in the case of a free WBC transient title.
In his last fight in November, Barrios fought with Ambel Ramos to part over Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Undercard.
“Every fight and the main event in which I was prepared for Manny Pacquiao,” said Barrios on Saturday. “This is my moment. I defend the title against legend.”
How does this affect the induction of Ibhof Pacquiao?
That’s not. Pacquiao was elected at the International Gallery of Boxing Fame in December, long before he planned to retire. Pacquiao header of this year’s class June 8, along with Vinna Paz, Michael Nunn and others.
Much for an early forecast
Pacquiao (+300 at the ESPN plant) looked ponderous and uncertain when he lost to Ugas four years ago. The boxing legend will need explosion and speed he had earlier in his career to overcome the physical advantages of Barrios. Barrios (-400 favorite) will operate his length and range to keep the opponent outside and straighten Pacquiao to keep his title by decision.
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Boxing
Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: Round-by-Round Live Updates and Results
Published
3 hours agoon
October 17, 2026
Daniel Dubois will face Fabio Wardley in a rematch of a heavyweight slugfest from earlier this year, with Dubois defending the WBO heavyweight title he took from Wardley on that night.
Live coverage will kick off at 2 pm ET, and we’ll have results and updates during the four-fight, main card undercard, then live, round-by-round scoring and updates for the main event itself.
How to watch Dubois vs Wardley 2
Start time: 2:00 pm ET for main card, prelims begin at 11:00 am ET
Streaming: DAZN (Ultimate subscription or Pay-Per-View)
PPV Cost: As a standalone, one-off purchase Pay-Per-View, the price is $59.99 (or £24.99). With DAZN’s Ultimate tier, the show is included as part of your subscription.
Location: O2 Arena – London, England
Dubois vs Wardley 2 full undercard and running order
Live Stream: Dubois vs Wardley 2 Prelims
Boxing
Mannix and Mora Support Fabio Wardley in Quest for Vengeance
Published
4 hours agoon
October 17, 2026
Fabio Wardley can turn his early success against Daniel Dubois into a rematch victory if he avoids exhausting himself chasing the finish. He proved he could hurt Dubois in their first fight. The harder task is keeping control when an opponent he has dropped continues coming forward.
Wardley scored two early knockdowns before Dubois recovered and stopped him. That leaves an opening for a different result, although better pacing alone may not be enough to prevent another punishing night.
Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora both back Wardley to win again on Saturday, with Mannix choosing him by stoppage. Mora believes Wardley’s eagerness to finish Dubois helped undo his promising start.
“If he just doesn’t punch himself out, he thinks about setting up that right hand, doesn’t get right hand happy,” Mora said to DAZN Boxing.
That is the adjustment Wardley needs to make under pressure. Once Dubois survived his biggest punches, Wardley needed something beyond another loaded right hand. Working behind his jab and putting punches together would give him more ways to attack without spending everything on a single finish.
Dubois deserves credit for surviving those knockdowns and returning to his jab. Mora believes his previous defeats helped him stay composed when Wardley hurt him. Wardley now has his own experience of a fight turning against him.
“I think he’ll be smarter after this fight. I think he’ll learn some lessons,” Mannix said. “I think Wardley wins by stoppage in this fight.”
Mannix’s biggest concern is what the first beating took out of Wardley. Learning the tactical lesson does not guarantee he will absorb Dubois’ punches the same way in the rematch.
Wardley’s power gives their picks a credible foundation. He has already put Dubois down twice. To complete the job, he needs to create another opening without allowing the pursuit of a knockout to leave him exhausted and exposed again.

About the author
Boxing 24/7 Wire
Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.

Boxing
Bam Rodriguez Proposes March Fight, But Inoue Eyes New Opportunities
Published
6 hours agoon
October 16, 2026
Jesse Rodriguez is willing to meet Naoya Inoue in March, yet that timeline still depends entirely on the undisputed champion waiting for him. Inoue may prefer an earlier ring return, which would leave Rodriguez on the outside looking in as he continues handling business at bantamweight.
Trainer Robert Garcia revealed that Rodriguez can make a March date work, moving up his original April or May target. Still, the camp intends to take on WBO champion Christian Medina in December first.
Robert confirmed the updated outlook to The Ring: “I previously said April or May, but we can be ready for March.”
While that shortens the wait, early 2027 remains unresolved. Turki Alalshikh pointed toward a January appearance in Japan. Eddie Hearn mentioned February or March instead. Clear alignment on a date is completely absent.
Rodriguez must fulfill a contract before New Year’s Eve, with Garcia eyeing December 11 or December 19 against Medina. The camp figures Rodriguez can enjoy the holidays, then jump straight into camp for Inoue.
That expectation rests on an ideal outcome against Medina. Cuts, bruised knuckles, or an unexpectedly brutal bout could easily force Rodriguez to take extra recovery time. Inoue would effectively be pinning his calendar on a fighter who still has to survive another bout first.
Inoue is already eyeing an eventual jump to featherweight. Sitting around waiting for Rodriguez to finish his stay at 118 pounds makes little sense for the Japanese star.
Garcia admitted neither he nor Hearn has received an official approach to begin talks. The public chatter is moving much faster than the paperwork.
Putting March on the table does not guarantee Inoue’s cooperation. If March works on both sides, the matchup can happen. If Inoue wants to fight sooner, Rodriguez will either have to scrap his December plans or watch this major fight slip away.
Bam is acting like someone who wants the glory of calling out Inoue without actually taking the risk of meeting him on his terms.
When a fighter gets an invitation to share a ring with the sport’s biggest pound-for-pound attraction, they drop everything. They do not tell the undisputed champion to take a number and wait until spring because Christian Medina is on the calendar. That makes zero sense. A routine belt grab against Medina does nothing for Rodriguez’s profile, brings in a fraction of the money, and accomplishes very little that fans care about.

About the author
Boxing News 24 Desk
BoxingNews24.com has delivered independent boxing coverage since 2007, including original news, fight analysis, schedules, and results. Our experienced boxing writers cover major fighters and events worldwide, with published content reviewed by editors for accuracy.
Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: Round-by-Round Live Updates and Results
Mannix and Mora Support Fabio Wardley in Quest for Vengeance
Bam Rodriguez Proposes March Fight, But Inoue Eyes New Opportunities
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