Two years after retiring from professional boxing, Manny Pacquiao is planning a spectacular comeback to the ring. The Philippine icon is looking to compete at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The 44-year-old walked away from the sport in September 2021 after losing to Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas.
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After winning his first major title in 1998 at 19 for the WBC flyweight title, he went on to become one of the most decorated boxers of all time.
He is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, amassing a record of 62-8-2 and winning 12 world titles in eight divisions during his career.
His bout with Floyd Mayweather in 2015 remains the most expensive fight of all time. It generated a total of £678 million per DAZN. Some felt the fight never lived up to the hype.
Pacquiao boxing return
The legendary boxer could make his comeback at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. His last fight was against YouTuber DK Yoo in an exhibition fight in South Korea in 2022.
“One hundred percent, under the right circumstances Manny would love to [compete],” Sean Gibbons, the president of MP Promotions, told Sports Illustrated. “[It has] always been a dream of his to represent the Philippines in the Olympics. He never had a chance because at 16 his family was dead broke, and he needed to go professional to help everyone.”
“Senator Pacquiao’s camp reached out saying our Filipino ring idol wants to fight in Paris,” said Abraham Tolentino, the president of the Philippines Olympic Committee.
Pacquiao is 44 and will be 45 at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Since 2016, professional boxers have been allowed to compete in the Olympics.
According to Talksport, the main route of qualification, the Asian Games, set to start later this month, has an age limit of 40, meaning Pacquiao will have to find another way to qualify.
