Boxing: after a failure in his country's presidential elections, Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao prepares his comeback for the world title at 45

Manny Pacquiao, légende de la boxe YNA – YONHAP

Pac-Man avait quitté la boxe en 2021.

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao said Monday he was in negotiations to make a professional return, but warned a possible world title fight against American Mario Barrios was still "very distant".

The multiple Filipino world champion, aged 45, left boxing in 2021 after a lost fight in Las Vegas against the Cuban Yordenis Ugas, and tried, without success, to access to the presidency of his country the following year.

Too old to compete in the Olympics

He has committed to a three-round exhibition bout against Japanese kickboxer Chihiro Suzuki next month in Saitama, north of Tokyo. Pacquiao indicated during a press conference in the Japanese capital that he was in talks to face Barrios (29 years old, 29 wins and two losses) for the WBC welterweight world title.

"We are still in negotiations and talking about it. The fight hasn't materialized yet", explained Pacquiao, who has already hinted at a return. "It will be by December – November or December. There are still many things to discuss and discuss", underlined "Pac-Man", who failed to obtain the right to participate in the Paris Olympics this summer, reached by the age limit set at 40 years by the IOC for boxers.