Manny Pacquiao only the latest boxing great to risk his legacy for lure of the ring
The 46-year-old Filipino came out of retirement on Saturday to fight Mario Barrios but fell short as the American escaped with a draw
Manny Pacquiao’s return to the ring last weekend after a four-year hiatus marked the latest example of a boxer well past his prime who could not resist the temptation of the squared circle and a chance to add to his competitive legacy.
The 46-year-old Filipino came out of retirement on Saturday to fight Mario Barrios in Las Vegas but fell short of breaking his own record as the oldest-ever welterweight champion, as the American boxer escaped with a majority draw.
Fights involving boxers such as Pacquiao, who is one of the sport’s all-time greats, used to dominate headlines and attract a who’s-who of celebrities ringside, but there was considerably less buzz around his latest foray into the ring.
“He’s a tremendously meaningful fighter, but is this a meaningful fight? Not really,” said International Boxing Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim Lampley before the fight. “He’s 46 years old. He’s been away from the ring for four years. Do I need to say more?”
Despite returning to the ring at an advanced age against a boxer 16 years younger, Pacquiao put up a valiant effort and even looked to have had the upper hand until late in the bout when Barrios turned up the aggression.
Pacquiao, a Filipino senator from 2016 to 2022 and who last month was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, not only silenced some of his critics with his performance but also made clear his comeback was not over.