Pacquiao’s Return: Legacy Risk for Boxing Legend, WBC Sanctioning Questioned

News has spread that Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) will fight Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) for Barrios’ WBC Welterweight belt. Many commenters are upset because, in addition to his current age, Pacquiao is coming up on four years of inactivity, having been out of the ring since losing to Yordenis Ugas in 2021. One of the overarching narratives has been that Pacquiao is essentially skipping in line, bypassing younger, more active fighters who have been vying for a shot at a title.

While somewhat true, it’s difficult to argue that Manny, by his accomplishments, has not earned the right to challenge for a title at his own behest. During his prime years, he served the sport honorably, providing thrilling, action-packed fights and bringing fans from across the globe to boxing. Pacquiao was a walking highlight reel before the Saudi money, DAZN, or the fixation on undefeated records. He’s proven that he was able to postpone father time’s calling time and time again, and has always fought to the best of his ability in every fight, sometimes being knocked out in pursuit of his opponent.

Pacquiao’s Risky Comeback

The other, more valid argument is that Pacquiao is risking his health by fighting at the advanced age of 46. In his younger days, Pacquiao had enough stamina to avoid getting caught by strings of clean punches for a full championship fight. Using a blend of footwork to dart in and out and a sturdy guard, he took the shock out of many of the shots coming his way. He would also return fire in the middle of his opponents’ combinations. In his recent fights against Thurman and Ugas, Pacquiao’s head was snapped back repeatedly due to his inability to anticipate the shots, his legs tiring, and his failure to put distance between himself and his opponent. As a cultural phenomenon, it would be a shame to see Pacquiao sustain permanent damage once his career finally ends if he hasn’t already. As a boxing legend, he’d be another example of what happens when a fighter overstays their welcome. Time will tell what effect his many wars have had on his brain, but it seems that it would be in his best interest to hang up the gloves and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

It is interesting that the WBC is sanctioning this bout and defending its decision to do so. For years, Mauricio Sulaiman has objected to women fighting three-minute rounds and twelve-round championship fights on the grounds that they could be risking permanent brain injury, which is a risk that every boxer accepts as they step into the ring. A bout where one fighter is approaching 50 while the other is still in their prime seems like a more dramatic safety risk than two women of similar ability competing. Prohibiting women from taking the most basic risk in boxing (being knocked out), while allowing freakshow fights like this to be sanctioned by your organization, sends a clear message. Sulaiman is standing in the way of women’s greatness.

Barrios: The Weaker Champion?

Granted, Barrios is the least dangerous champion at 147 lbs., but Pacquiao is still taking a major risk by depending on his battle-worn, 46-year-old body to carry him to victory. While Pacquiao is still likely to have freakishly heavy hands, the deciding factor will be endurance down the stretch. Barrios is no power puncher, but if he can weather the early stages of the fight, he may be able to grind out a win over the aged legend.

The purpose of this bout is to serve Pacquiao’s legacy. He’s aimed at the perceived weakest champion in his weight class and hopes to make history by breaking his record of being the oldest welterweight champion. But at 46, how much more does he have to offer?

We will undoubtedly see flashes of Pac-Man’s greatness when the night arrives—a few leaps in with punches from awkward angles. A display of his will, which has only been broken once, rendered him unconscious. He will be gracious in victory or defeat. But when the events of the evening are transcribed into countless articles across the internet, it will be a far cry from the stories told during his years of slaying monsters and giants, throwing impossible combinations, and reaffirming that heroes aren’t products of promotion, but are created by the circumstances they endure and the stories we tell about them.