Manny Pacquiao may return for another shot at the WBC title at 45 years old. WBC President, Mauricio Sulaiman recently revealed in an interview that the Filipino star could come back for a showdown with current champion, Mario Barrios.

Mauricio Sulaiman recently did an interview with Sky Sports. In that interview, the WBC President confirmed that the WBC is exploring a Mario Barrios vs. Manny Pacquiao welterweight title fight later this year in Las Vegas. Sulaiman believes the former champion has what it takes to make a comeback for the welterweight title.

Manny Pacquiao is timeless. He's a legend. We have great precedent of former champions coming back as long as they pass successfully all the medical examinations. As a former champion and as a legend, he does have the possibility of fighting for the WBC championship.

Mauricio Sulaiman on Sky Sports

Sulaiman said Pacquiao can beat any fighter or be competitive with any fighter today. He believes Pacquiao’s return for the welterweight title after more than two decades since his first world championship would be sensational. Pacquiao is a former eight-weight world champion with an incredible professional record. He has not fought a professional fight in the ring since his last unanimous decision loss against Yordenis Ugas in 2021.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that they would approve Manny Pacquiao fighting Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight world title at age 45: “I do like the idea very much. I think Pacquiao can beat any fighter or be competitive with any fighter today.” [@SkySports]

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) July 3, 2024

Meanwhile, Barrios who previously held the ‘interim’ title just recently became champion. This happened because former title holder, Terence Crawford moved up to super-welterweight where he will box WBA champion, Israil Madrimov this August. Crawford is currently ‘champion in recess’ which means he can return to the division and challenge for the title whenever he wants. But for now, Barrios will likely fight #1 contender Souleymane Cissokho. But what is Manny Pacquiao’s say in all this?

Manny Pacquiao wants to “go out making history”

Manny Pacquiao is a legend in the sport of boxing. He has won twelve major world titles with a professional career spanning 3 decades. Having previously fought top contenders in the sport, the boxing legend believes he has what it takes to compete with the current top names in the sport.

Pacquiao recently did an interview with ESPN. There he discussed a potential fight with Mario Barrios. Pacquiao said he believes there is more he can do in the sport. The Filipino boxer believes he can make history while in his mid-forties.

I made history at 40 beating Keith Thurman and I feel at 45, I have a lot left in the game as I haven’t taken a lot of punishment over the last few years. I want to go out making history.

Manny Pacquiao on ESPN

Manny Pacquiao has remained active in the exhibition boxing scene. Pacquiao will face Rukiya Anpo in a three-round boxing exhibition at Super RIZIN 3 in Japan. Anpo is a former K-1 champion who is stepping in after Chihiro Suzuki‘s injury forced him out of his original bout with Pacquiao.