Manny Pacquiao attempted to break his own record as the oldest welterweight world champion in history last year, but had to settle for a draw against Mario Barrios. He may now get a second chance.
Pacquiao returned to professional action in July 2025 to challenge then-WBC champion Barrios. Had he won, he would have extended the record he first set by defeating Keith Thurman in 2019 at the age of 40.
The majority draw was enough to keep ‘PacMan’s comeback alive, and he subsequently booked a rematch with Floyd Mayweather. That bout has since been postponed due to the American’s ongoing legal issues, leaving Pacquiao open to another fight before it is eventually rescheduled.
Should he decide to challenge for a world title at 147lbs again, Australia’s Liam Paro – who claimed the IBF belt last month with victory over Lewis Crocker – appears ready and willing.
Speaking to The Australian before Paro’s win over Crocker, the Australian’s promoter George Rose of No Limit Boxing made it clear that Pacquiao was his dream opponent.
“Manny is the one fight we want to make for Liam. Imagine Manny coming back to Australia.
“Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Rolly Romero all hold world titles at welterweight, but we don’t have to do a unification fight.
“When Jeff Horn fought Manny, he didn’t have the belt. It would be unreal. Imagine doing a card with Manny, Paro and possibly the two Tszyus. It would be sensational.”
Paro was Jeff Horn’s chief sparring partner ahead of the Australian’s upset victory over Pacquiao in 2017, one of the most controversial decisions of the Filipino legend’s career.
Fighting in front of more than 50,000 fans at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight title via unanimous decision despite many observers believing he had done enough to retain it, particularly after nearly stopping Horn in the ninth round. Pacquiao later accused Horn of repeatedly using headbutts and elbows throughout the contest.
A return to Australia with the chance to make history once again could therefore prove an attractive option for Pacquiao, although mandatory challenger Paddy Donovan may have something to say about whether Paro is free to pursue such a blockbuster.
