'That's a tremendous fight': Manny Pacquaio set for boxing return on Tim Tszyu title fight card in Vegas
Tim Tszyu will share the top of the bill with boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao for his WBC super welterweight title fight, with the icon ending his four-year retirement, ESPN reports.
Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship in the co-main event on July 20 AEST in Las Vegas.
Tszyu was initially slated to be the main event as he fights for redemption in a rematch against Sebastian Fundora, but will now split the bill with the boxing legend.
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Pacquiao, 46, last fought in August 2021 when he lost a unanimous decision against Yordenis Ugas for the WBA (super) welterweight championship.
Manny Pacquiao to return after a four-year lay off. Getty
After the loss, Pacquiao announced his retirement on social media to focus on his political career.
Rumours of his return have been going around for a year and Pacquiao competed in an exhibition boxing match against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo at Super RIZIN 3.
The WBC has written rules that state a former champion is allowed to request a title fight after coming out of retirement.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman also told Boxing King Media last weekend at the Canelo fight that Pacquiao had already been cleared to compete by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Tim Tszyu of Australia celebrates victory after defeating Joey Spencer of the United States in the IBO Inter-Continental Super Welterweight Title bout between Tim Tszyu and Joey Spencer at Newcastle Entertainment Centre on April 06, 2025 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images) Getty
"At this time, Mario Barrios is going to face Manny Pacquiao in July," Sulaiman said. "That's a tremendous fight."
Pacquaio is boxing's first and only eight-division world champion and is set to be inducted into boxing's Hall of Fame next month.
According to Brunch Boxing, Pacquiao won't formally announce his return to boxing until after the election on May 12 as he's in the midst of a very close senate race in the Philippines, where he previously served as a senator from 2016 to 2022.
