The legendary Manny Pacquiao will end a nearly four-year retirement when he faces Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship on July 19, according to an ESPN report.

Pacquiao, 46, became one of the sport’s biggest stars over a career that saw him capture world titles across eight weight classes, making him the first fighter to achieve this feat. Over time, he became a rival to fellow superstar Floyd Mayweather, with numerous unsuccessful negotiations to fight until they finally clashed in a disappointing bout in 2015 that resulted in Mayweather’s victory.

Despite this loss, Pacquiao went on to win two more world titles, retiring after losing his WBA welterweight title to Yordenis Ugás in August 2021.

Rumors about Pacquiao’s return have circulated since his loss to Ugás, often mentioning Barrios as a potential opponent.

Barrios, 29, earned the WBC interim welterweight title with a victory over Fabian Maidana in May 2024 and was subsequently elevated to full champion after then-undisputed champion Terence Crawford moved up in weight. Barrios retained his title in November after battling Abel Ramos to a draw in a heated match on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event.

This fight between Pacquiao and Barrios will likely not be officially announced until Pacquiao completes his current campaign for a Senate seat in the Philippines, where he previously served from 2016 to 2022. The election is set for May 12.