Pacquiao and Barrios Conclude LA Press Conference Amicably, Yet with Intentions of a KO

Manny Pacquiao enjoys a lighthearted moment during his faceoff with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. Photo by Michael Quidilla for Tangent Zine.

On July 19, 2025, celebrated Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao will come out of retirement to take on the reigning WBC welterweight champion, Mario Barrios. The fight, promoted by Premiere Boxing Champions, was recently highlighted during their press conference at the Novo in Los Angeles.

The setting was well-known to boxing's sole eight-division champion. As Pacquiao (62W-8L-2D with 39 KO's) stepped onto the stage, the crowd burst into the familiar cheers for the 46-year-old Filipino icon, who is returning after nearly four years of retirement to vie for world titles again.

Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios exchanged handshakes before their face-off at the LA press conference held at The Novo. Photo by Michael Quidilla for Tangent Zine.

Barrios, the 28-year-old opponent with a record of 29 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, including 18 knockouts, stood calmly next to Pacquiao. Taller, younger, and a reigning champion, he couldn't resist engaging with Pacquiao's playful nature. Known as "El Azteca," he confidently states, "He's a hard guy to dislike. But at the end of the day, he's in there, it's kill or be killed."

Manny Pacquiao, despite many experts asserting that his career has ended, feels that his break from boxing has given him a chance to recharge. "It's really a big help for me to rest for four years" Pacquiao stated during the LA press conference.

The former pound-for-pound champion last competed professionally in August 2021, losing the WBO title to Cuba's Yordenis Ugas, but stated he has stayed in shape despite his absence from the ring.

All photos taken by Michael Quidilla for Tangent Zine

***Catch the fight live between Pacquiao and Barrios on July 19, available on PBC PPV via Prime Video and at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. Tickets will be available to the public starting Wednesday, June 4 at 10 a.m. PT through AXS.com.