“Storm from the Pacific is back”: Manny Pacquiao’s longtime coach is confident in his fitness and conditioning

Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao was widely expected to make a return to boxing 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 known as Twitter).

There are concerns about Pacquiao’s ability to compete against a fighter 16 years his junior, especially considering he is making a professional return after four years and is currently 46 years old.

However, Pacquiao’s longtime coach and trainer, Buboy Fernandez, is confident in the Filipino legend’s fitness and conditioning.

“I don’t want to talk too much, but I only warn: prepare, because the storm from the Pacific is back—250 miles per hour,” Fernandez said in an interview with ESNEWS.

Pacquiao has been busy training for the fight and has even brought in longtime head trainer Freddie Roach. Given what the two have accomplished during their legendary careers, expectations are high.

Training camp recap.
Hard work. Sacrifice. Faith.
One week to go. 🙏🥊🇵🇭#TeamPacquiao #PacquiaoBarrios | July 19 | PBC PPV on @PrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/Tq27Blau0y

— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) July 13, 2025

“He is very excited. I would like to thank the people who are always helping our champ Manny Pacquiao, especially the running men every day. All the guys on his team,” Fernandez added.

A win for Pacquiao would mark his 13th welterweight title and his first since winning the World Boxing Organization (WBO) belt in 2009, when he defeated Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto via a 12th-round technical knockout. He would also break his own record as the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history—a title he first claimed by beating Keith Thurman in 2019 at age 40.

“To all my countrymen in the Philippines, please support our fighting senator Manny Pacquiao. It’s just seven days left before the fight. Please help us pray so we can win and bring the crown home to the Philippines,” Fernandez concluded.

However, the decision to grant Pacquiao a direct title shot has stirred controversy within the boxing community. Critics question why he is receiving an immediate title opportunity, especially since he hasn’t been officially ranked in years. Some have also accused WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman of favoritism, noting that Pacquiao hasn’t won a professional fight since 2019.

Currently, fighters such as Devin Haney, Souleymane Cissokho, Conor Benn, and Egidijus Kavaliauskas are ranked above Pacquiao. Others—including Raul Curiel, Thulani Mbenge, Eimantas Stanionis, Abel Ramos, and Alexis Rocha—have reportedly been pushed down the rankings to make way for the legendary Filipino boxer.

Barrios, on the other hand, has won 29 of his 32 fights, with 18 victories coming by knockout. The Mexican-American won the interim WBC title in September 2023 and was elevated to full champion in June 2024 after Terence Crawford moved up to 154 pounds to face Israil Madrimov. Barrios has only lost twice—to Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman.

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 booking for a Lady Gaga concert.

The fight between Pacquiao and Barrios will reportedly be streamed via PBC on Prime Video Pay-Per-View.

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