Pacquiao fighting again?

The boxing future of eight-division legend Manny Pacquiao will be known after the 12 May elections.

Reports from the United States point to a ring return for the famed Filipino southpaw on 19 July at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The fight will be for Mario Barrios’ World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight crown.

Even WBC president Jose Sulaiman has reportedly given the matchup his seal of approval.

But Sean Gibbons, who heads the Pacquiao-owned MP Promotions, makes it clear that “everything’s going to depend on the result of the elections.”

Pacquiao, 46, is running for senator.

Last time Pacquiao fought, he was stunned by Cuban Yordenis Ugas in August 2021 and lost the World Boxing Association welter title.

Pacquiao has a 62-8-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts while Barrios, who stands six feet and younger by almost 16 years, holds a 29-2-1 mark with 18 knockouts.

But before the proposed WBC title shot, Pacquiao has a major commitment to honor.

Early next month, Pacquiao will be formally enshrined into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.