Manny Pacquiao Opens As Significant Betting Underdog To Mario Barrios

Manny Pacquiao will end a retirement of nearly four years on July 19 when he meets WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in Las Vegas. The opening betting odds for the 147-pound title fight have the champion as a heavy favorite over the returning Pacquiao.

Manny Pacquiao Ends Retirement

ESPN reported on Pacquiao coming out of retirement in early May. The former eight-division boxing champion confirmed his return on Instagram, writing, “On July 19, I return to the ring to face WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Let’s make history! #TeamPacquiao 🇵🇭”

The 46-year-old Pacquiao last fought in August 2021 when he dropped a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas for the WBA welterweight championship. Not long after that setback, Pacquiao announced his retirement.

“Even me, I’m amazed at what I have done,” Pacquiao said in a video he posted on social media. “The only boxer to hold world titles in four different decades and became the oldest boxer to win a world welterweight title, an amazing accomplishment.”

“It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over,” he added. “Today, I am announcing my retirement. I never thought that this day would come. As I hang up my boxing gloves, I would like to thank the whole world, especially the Filipino people, for supporting Manny Pacquiao.”

Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) was the No. 6 ranked welterweight, according to ESPN, when he retired.

“Goodbye, boxing. Thank you for changing my life,” Pacquiao added. “You gave me the chance to find a way out of poverty. Because of you, I was able to inspire people all over the world. Because of you, I have been given the courage to change more life.

“I will never forget what I have done and accomplished in my life. I can’t imagine that I have just heard the final bell.”

ESPN has not added Pacquiao back to its welterweight rankings. However, Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) is the No. 3 ranked 147-pounder according to the site.

Mario Barrios Vs. Manny Pacquiao Opening Betting Odds

When the betting odds for the Barrios vs. Pacquiao were first published, Barrios was listed as the -750 betting favorite over the +470 Pacquiao. The champ has stayed at -750, but today, Pacquiao is listed at +370.

Mario Barrios

The 30-year-old Barrios won the vacant WBC interim welterweight title in September 2023 with a unanimous decision over Yordenis Ugás. He retained the belt in May 2024 with a decision victory over Fabián Maidana. The WBC elevated Barrios to full championship status in June 2024. In his most recent outing, which came in November, Barrios fought Abel Ramos to a split draw to retain the belt.

We will have more on the Barrios vs. Pacquiao title fight as fight night nears.