Manny Pacquiao’s return to the boxing ring has been nothing short of remarkable. In a fight many observers felt Pacquiao had done enough to win outright, the legend showed flashes of his vintage form. According to the WBC ratings released on Friday, Pacquiao’s performance against Barrios has earned him the No. 1 contender spot in the organization’s welterweight rankings.
New Rankings Put Manny Pacquiao on the Brink of History originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Ranking shake-up gives the boxing legend a direct path to another title shot
Manny Pacquiao’s return to the boxing ring has been nothing short of remarkable. At 46 years old, the former multi-division champion battled to a draw against the much younger, 30-year-old WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. In a fight many observers felt Pacquiao had done enough to win outright, the legend showed flashes of his vintage form. And while the official verdict wasn’t a victory, Pacquiao still walked away with something of significant value.
According to the WBC ratings released on Friday, Pacquiao’s performance against Barrios has earned him the No. 1 contender spot in the organization’s welterweight rankings.
That status provides him with a clear path to another world title opportunity. While Pacquiao’s global popularity has often bypassed the need for rankings to secure big fights, the designation eliminates potential sanctioning body roadblocks. It also paves the way for a rematch with Barrios — a bout that now seems more realistic than ever.
This puts Pacquiao in position to chase history once again. Not only could he break his own record as the oldest welterweight champion, but he could also achieve something unprecedented — winning a title after already being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. No fighter has ever accomplished that, especially after receiving the symbolic plaque and handshake in Canastota.
Pacquiao has already confirmed his return to the ring in December, making this ranking shake-up a key development in what could be one of boxing’s boldest pursuits. History is calling, and Pacquiao is answering.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
