Manny Pacquiao is desperate to avoid a similar fate to boxing’s greatest Muhammad Ali in his ring comeback on July 19.
Following four years of retirement, Pacquiao is now gearing up to fight WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
Pacquiao has returned to his previous Wild Card Boxing gym ahead with trainer Freddie Roach ahead of his comeback to the sport.
While the eight-division champion’s glory days are behind him, he is looking ahead with great optimism to fighting Barrios in Las Vegas this month.
Naturally, Ali’s unsuccessful comeback attempts spring to mind as the action unfolds.
Ali retired after regaining the WBA heavyweight title from Leon Spinks, but returned in 1980 only to be stopped in his comeback fight with Larry Holmes.
The following year, he laced up his gloves for his final professional fight, that ended in a decision defeat to Trevor Berbick.
Pacquiao’s return could end up being likened to when the world saw the shell of Ali during his two comeback outings.
While the Filipino hopes to become the second-oldest champion in boxing history, he recognises the potential perils that he may face as he attempts to do so.
Pacquiao told The Ring: “The dangers are when you get lazy in training.
“The danger is when you’re not 100% conditioned when you go into the fight.
“That’s not healthy, not passion. I’m not going to be like other fighters who came back at 50% just to come back.
Pacquiao is trying to avoid replicating Ali’s famous comebacks“I’m going to be at 100% like I did before, and whatever happens, it happens.”
Concern has spread among the boxing fraternity for his chances in the scheduled bout, but the Filipino shared: “My family has been very supportive.
“They saw my speed, my power, my body conditioning. I’m in good health. God is good all the time. Without God, I am nothing. I am here because of God’s mercy and strength.”
When the Filipino made his first comeback at the age of 42, he lost via unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas.
Ugas has fought both fighters having been outpointed by the champion Barrios two years later in 2023.
He had little of his trademark speed and power remaining, after two years out of the ring.
Pacquiao is an underdog in his unlikely title clash with BarriosGettyDespite his age, Pacquiao believes he has the speed advantage over his 30-year-old ring counterpart.
He said: “Remember, in boxing, speed is the key.
“I’m faster than Barrios. My movement and speed is still there. It was good for my body to rest for four years. I still have the passion and fire in my eyes, I am working hard.
“It’s still there, my trainers are not pushing me in this training camp. But they are watching me to tell me to ‘stop, that’s enough.’ But for me, I want more.”
Despite the risks, the 46-year-old is insisting his comeback isn’t motivated by a financial boost.
But he places it instead with his eyes on a place in the history books, by breaking Bernard Hopkins’ record as the oldest champion ever at 49.
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