“It’s up to him”: Manny Pacquiao on potential rematch with Floyd Mayweather

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

Pacquiao took to social media to announce 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 46-year-old has been training intensively for the fight and has reunited with longtime head trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Las Vegas. However, he took time off from his extensive schedule to appear on Andre Ward’s All the Smoke Fight podcast, where he opened up on his career, including the “Battle of the Century” fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in 2015.

“I’m just wondering two weeks before the Floyd Mayweather fight if I’m going to postpone it or not, because I was so bothered with my shoulder. But the thing is, I’m worried for the fans—the whole world was excited for this fight,” Pacquiao said.

Despite his fame and and status, Manny Pacquiao will always remember where he came from

Catch Andre Ward’s full interview with @MannyPacquiao on our YouTube. pic.twitter.com/WRYUooFt6R

— All the Smoke Fight (@ats_fight) July 15, 2025

The Filipino boxing legend added that he fought through pain, only undergoing surgery after the fight.

“The fight was good. Despite all those things, right after the fight, I went to the hospital and got my shoulder operated on. It really hurt. After the operation, it was really hard,” he added.

The southpaw continued, stating that he had prepared well for Mayweather’s defensive style of boxing and is open to a rematch, but noted that the American has yet to respond to his challenge.

“That’s his style—I knew it. I was expecting that I would win the fight because he didn’t throw a lot of punches. I threw a lot of punches. But I reviewed the CompuBox, slow motion, first round to the twelfth round. I won like two rounds. That’s boxing. I’m not complaining or making excuses—it just happened that way.

“Rematch? With who? With Floyd? I’m still active. It’s up to him if he is going to fight. Even here, even here. Now my right hand is complete. You will see my condition in the fight,” Pacquiao concluded.

The fight between Pacquiao and Barrios will reportedly be streamed via PBC on Prime Video Pay-Per-View and will take place on Sunday, July 20 (Philippine Standard Time).

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