(Tokyo) Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao said Monday he was in negotiations to make a professional return, but warned that a possible world title fight against American Mario Barrios was still “very distant”.
The multiple Filipino world champion, 45, left boxing in 2021 after a losing fight in Las Vegas against Cuban Yordenis Ugas, and tried unsuccessfully to become his country’s president the year next.
He has committed to a three-round exhibition bout against Japanese kickboxer Chihiro Suzuki next month in Saitama, north of Tokyo.
Pacquiao told a news conference in the Japanese capital that he was in talks to face Barrios (29, 29 wins and two losses) for the WBC welterweight world title.
“We are still in negotiations and talking about it. The fight hasn’t materialized yet,” explained Pacquiao, who has previously hinted at a return.
“It will be by December-November or December. There are still many things to discuss and discuss,” emphasized “Pac-Man”, who failed to obtain the right to participate in the Paris Olympics this summer, reached by the age limit set at 40 years old. by the IOC for boxers.
