Overview

• Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion, will face Mario Barrios in Las Vegas for the WBC welterweight title, his first professional fight since 2021.
• The bout has been officially sanctioned by the WBC and cleared by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, leveraging a rule allowing former champions an immediate title shot.
• Pacquiao's return aligns with key milestones, including his May 12 Senate election in the Philippines and his June induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
• Mario Barrios, the 29-year-old reigning WBC welterweight champion, was elevated to full titleholder status in 2024 and last fought to a draw in November 2024.
• The fight will headline a PBC pay-per-view event on Prime Video and will be co-featured with a rematch between Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu.