Can a Eight-Division World Champion Draw a Noteworthy Finale?
After a flurry of speculation, Manny Pacquiao’s highly anticipated comeback is finally happening. Although the comeback is set for January 2026, the boxing legend will step through the ropes earlier in characteristic Pacquiao fashion under the bright lights and heavy expectations that have always surrounded the fighter. Rumors persist of a possible fight with Floyd Mayweather that could be on the way. The anticipation surrounding Pacquiao’s next fight has never been greater.
Now 46 years old, Pacquiao is still a phenomenon whose stature is not confined to any particular era. He had speed, a unique southpaw rhythm, and relentless combinations that made him one of the most exciting boxers in the world for some time. However, as he ages, it isn’t whether he can still be dazzling - it’s whether he can still take a punch. In his most recent appearance - a highly entertaining draw with Mario Barrios, he had flashes of the aggression of old. The eight-division world champion looked sharp in bursts but human in stretches, showing that his reflexes, while dulled, remain dangerous enough to trouble anyone outside boxing’s elite. Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s longtime trainer, has instilled in the fighter a relentless stamina that has defined his trademark punches-in-bunches style. However, even with this, a heralded coach and team of high caliber, the age of Pacquiao is his greatest obstacle. Any opponent under 30 will test his endurance, particularly in later rounds, where Father Time, not power, is his real adversary.
Still, the allure lies in what this fight represents. Should Pacquiao impress in January, the road could open toward what ESPN recently called a “hint at a possible Mayweather rematch.” Such a matchup would ignite boxing’s nostalgia circuit in boxing, pitting two titans who once co-headlined together on pay-per-view events back in the same ring. For Pacquiao, this is not just about revenge or the ratings, it is about control. One last edit to an already historic career.
As for Pacquiao's return, it is almost certainly about embracing another symbolic role for the next generation of Filipino fighters. Many view him as a living blueprint for success. As discussed in a profile of his 24-year-old son, who recently debuted as a professional boxer, the pathway from local rings to the global stage still runs through Pacquiao's shadow. His return serves as a reminder to the next generation of Filipino boxers that he remains an inspiration to those who came after him, and the Filipino legacy is alive and ever-evolving.
If Pacquiao fails, it may mark a quiet sunset to one of the most storied careers in boxing. If Pacquiao succeeds, even if he retires after the fight, the conversation will shift from retirement to resurrection, and 2026 becomes one of the premier years in boxing to look forward to. Whether he can summon one last excellent performance remains to be seen. Still, if there’s one constant in Pacquiao’s story, it’s that he’s never been one to exit quietly.
