Most people step away from the ring for good after retirement—especially after diving into politics.
But not Manny Pacquiao. The 46-year-old boxing icon, who once served in the Philippine Senate and even ran for president, is doing the unthinkable: lacing up his gloves again after a four-year break.
Instead of easing back into the sport with a lower-profile opponent, Pacquiao is jumping straight into a high-stakes match this Saturday in Las Vegas against 30-year-old Mario Barrios, a rising WBC welterweight champion.
This would be a challenge for anyone, but even more so for a fighter who’s already in the Hall of Fame and hasn’t fought since 2021.
Pacquiao’s Political Detour
Pacquiao’s foray into politics wasn’t a light dabble.
He served as a senator in the Philippines and even mounted a presidential campaign.
But after back-to-back losses in both the 2022 and 2025 elections, he seems to have closed that chapter—at least for now.
And instead of campaigning, he’s once again training.
His return isn’t just a vanity project or exhibition.
He’s going toe-to-toe with a real contender—Barrios, who was barely born when Pacquiao had already racked up his first three professional wins.
The Simplicity Behind the Greatness
Chris Algieri, a former opponent and current fight analyst, has studied Pacquiao from both inside the ring and behind the mic.
He fought him in 2014 and has since covered many of his bouts.
He says Pacquiao is truly one of a kind—not just in ability, but in how he approaches everything from training to diet.
According to Algieri, Pacquiao’s meals are as no-frills as it gets.
On one occasion, he recalled visiting Manny’s hotel room during a broadcast assignment and seeing the legend quietly eating rice, ground beef, and a banana.
That’s it. No fancy diet, no chef-prepared superfoods—just clean, simple eating three times a day.
Burn Like Pacquiao, Eat Like Pacquiao
That simple diet might sound basic, but it’s backed by a metabolism that burns up to 7,000 calories daily.
His longtime strength coach Justin Fortune once revealed that despite his size, Manny often had to eat more than his competitors just to keep up.
Think steak, grilled chicken, beef broth, and yes—white rice.
While some fighters are starving themselves to make weight, Pacquiao is usually full, fueled, and ready to go.
Training Like It’s 1999
Back in 2014, HBO cameras were rolling on Algieri’s training sessions ahead of their bout.
The production team was impressed by his high-tech, modern fitness approach. Then they went to see Manny.
What did they find? No gadgets, no gimmicks. Pacquiao was just running and boxing—old school all the way.
That, paired with his legendary coach Freddie Roach, was all he needed.
And it worked. In their match, Pacquiao knocked Algieri down six times and won by unanimous decision.
A Fighter Who Keeps Evolving
Over the years, Pacquiao’s style has matured.
Earlier in his career, he was a blur of volume punches and lightning speed—someone Algieri described as being “shot out of a cannon.”
He was relentless, fearless, and incredibly difficult to prepare for.
But by 2014, when he fought Algieri, Manny had become more strategic, less focused on knockouts, and more about movement and timing.
In fact, Pacquiao has only had one stoppage win in the last 15 years.
He’s now more likely to outpoint his opponents, as he did in his impressive 2019 win over Keith Thurman.
Barrios Isn’t an Easy Comeback
This weekend’s matchup is no nostalgia act. Barrios is 16 years younger, stands more than six inches taller, and has a longer reach.
He’s also a current champion and very active in the ring.
Algieri admits that, at 46, Pacquiao’s physical gifts aren’t what they used to be.
This isn’t like George Foreman slugging his way to a heavyweight comeback at 38—welterweights move fast, and Barrios is no joke.
Still, if there’s one fighter capable of pulling off a late-career surprise, it’s Manny.
The X-Factor: Experience
Even if Pacquiao’s political career didn’t go the way he hoped, his experience in the ring is nearly unmatched.
With three decades of fighting behind him, Pacquiao knows how to manage a fight in ways younger opponents can’t always predict.
“If there’s anyone who still has one last big performance left in them,” Algieri says, “it’s Manny Pacquiao.”