WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has reacted favorably in the direction of Manny Pacquiao doubtlessly contesting the welterweight title in a comeback battle.
By way of MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons informing WBN, Pacquiao is in search of a remaining world championship alternative earlier than hanging up his gloves for good. World Boxing Information broke the information concerning Pacquiao’s quest on June 1st. Nevertheless, the intention of the Filipino famous person got here with a reminder that Pacquiao had been out for 3 years and misplaced his final battle.
Subsequently, gaining a WBC title shot – doubtlessly in opposition to Mario Barrios if the interim champion will get elevated on the again of Terence Crawford turning into ‘Champion in Recess’ – appeared out of the query.
WBN put this to Sulaiman, who mentioned there have been cases prior to now when a legendary boxer returned from retirement to problem instantly for a title. The primary one to come back to Sulaiman’s thoughts was Ray Leonard. Like Pacquiao, ‘Sugar Ray’ was out of motion for 3 years earlier than returning to tackle Marvin Hagler for the WBC gentle heavyweight crown. The one distinction within the Pacquiao case was that Leonard had gained his remaining battle earlier than beginning his hiatus.
When requested whether or not Pacquiao might face Barrios for the inexperienced and gold strap, Sulaiman didn’t rule out the likelihood.
“If the WBC receives a petition for Manny Pacquiao to battle for the welterweight title, it will naturally undergo a vote of the board,” Sulaiman informed World Boxing Information solely. “There are vital precedents on this regard, like Sugar Ray Leonard preventing Marvin Hagler after passing efficiently all his medicals.”
Subsequently, if Pacquiao is cleared to field by physicians and Gibbons places a request in on the eight-weight world titleholder’s behalf, the notion of a conflict with Barrios would undergo due course of.
Pacquiao final fought in 2021 when shedding his WBA model to Yordenis Ugas. The defeat wasn’t how the 45-year-old wished to exit, because the plan was to face Errol Spence Jr. in a unification. Spence was dominated out as a consequence of an eye fixed damage, and Pacquiao had no alternative however to battle the Cuban substitute, who took full benefit.
Since then, Pacquiao has persistently known as for yet one more professional battle as reviews of an exhibition with Floyd Mayweather proceed to fill column inches. WBN believes there’s nonetheless an opportunity {that a} rematch might occur in Japan on a RIZIN present this coming New 12 months’s Eve. Nevertheless, earlier than that, Pacquiao might problem Barrios in a becoming farewell.
In 2019, Pacquiao grew to become the previous welterweight champion of all time when dethroning Keith Thurman in Las Vegas. WBN was current at ringside as Pacquiao dropped Thurman within the first spherical en path to a choice triumph.
If the Barrios battle involves fruition, Pacquiao might additionally beat that benchmark by a full 5 years. If the occasion happened past September, Pacquiao would additionally be capable to turn into the second-oldest boxing champion ever, overtaking George Foreman for second place behind Bernard Hopkins, who was 49 when he took the highest spot.
It’s now as much as Manny Pacquiao to place within the request. Pacquiao has beforehand held WBC titles at flyweight and tremendous featherweight.
Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay. Be taught extra in regards to the writer, skilled boxing author, and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010. Comply with on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
