Filipino boxers Eumir Marcial, Mark Magsayo honored to be on Pacquiao-Barrios undercard

Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was widely expected to return to the ring after a four-year hiatus—and the former eight-division world champion has now made it official. 

Pacquiao announced on social media that he will come out of retirement to face World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Mario Barrios for the title in Las Vegas.

“I’m back. On July 19, I return to the ring to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Let’s make history!” Pacquiao posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The bout was initially scheduled for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but was moved to the MGM Grand Garden Arena due to a prior commitment for a Lady Gaga concert. The Pacquiao vs. Barrios fight will reportedly stream via PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view.

What makes this fight even more special was that Manny Pacquiao MP Promotions has used this platform to give an opportunity to Filipino boxing stars to display their talents in front of the world by adding 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games bronze medalist Eumir Marcial and former World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion Mark Magsayo to the undercard.

Three top Filipino fighters, namely Mark Magsayo, Eumir Marcial, and Jerwin Ancajas, will see action in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s headlining title fight against Mario Barrios on 19 July at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. | Nick Giongco / Photo courtesy of VIVA Promotions… pic.twitter.com/HmgjUwqvQN

— Daily Tribune (@tribunephl) June 6, 2025

Marcial and Magsayo are currently training alongside their idol at Griffith Park and Wild Card gym in Los Angeles, California, for the fight and the duo expressed their gratitude and happiness at getting the opportunity to fight in a card alongside the Filipino icon.

“To train with our childhood idol is already very encouraging. We got more inspired knowing that Filipino boxers like us will be in the undercard of this fight,” Marcial said.

“It’s a very great opportunity to be part of the undercard of my childhood hero Manny Pacquiao who is the main reason why I’m into boxing right now. Like the first time I fought under his card as a featherweight, this is also another stepping stone to my second division super featherweight world title bid. I wouldn’t be here if not for big brother Manny. Seeing Pacquiao train everyday still inspires me the way he did when I was a kid. He spends time with us his boxers and teaches us. I’m excited for this thrilling Philippines vs. Mexico showdown,” Magsayo added.

Marcial is returning from a break following a disappointing showing at the 2024 Olympic Games, where he lost his opening bout to Uzbekistan’s Turabek Khabibullaev in the men’s 80-kilogram division. However, the southpaw has been impressive in his professional career, remaining undefeated in all five bouts, with his latest victory coming via a fourth-round knockout of Thailand’s Thoedsak Sinam in March 2023 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Magsayo, meanwhile, is entering the bout on the back of a win against Ecuadorian Bryan Mercado, whom he knocked out in the second round in Long Beach, California, on December 14, 2024. The 29-year-old will face Mexican star Jorge Mata Cuellar for the vacant WBC Continental Americas super featherweight title.

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