Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is 45 and hasn't boxed since his loss to Yordenis Ugas in 2021, but the WBC is backing him to fight for the welterweight world title.
Pacquiao announced his retirement after the Ugas fight.
However, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman paved the way for Pacquiao to return to world championship contention.
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In 2009, Ricky Hatton was defeated by multi-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao with a one-punch knockout.
“Manny Pacquiao is timeless. He's a legend,” Sulaiman said. Sky Sports.
“There is great precedent that former champions can return if they pass all the medical tests.
“As a former champion and a legend, he has the potential to fight for the WBC championship.”
This is a course of action that the WBC President would actually welcome.
Manny Pacquiao could return to world title fight
“I really like that idea. I think Manny Pacquiao can beat any fighter today and be on equal terms with any fighter,” Sulaiman said.
“But it would be sensational for him to return to the WBC and move up to welterweight in 2024, more than 20 years after winning his first world championship, the WBC flyweight title.”
The WBC welterweight world title is currently vacant after Terence Crawford moved up to 154 pounds, and Pacquiao is eyeing a championship fight against Mario Barrios.
“We're still in negotiations” about a possible fight with Barrios, Pacquiao said last month.
“And we're talking about it. The fight hasn't happened yet. But those negotiations are ongoing.”
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