Against all odds: Pacquiao heavy underdog in ring return

Bettors from around the world have come out with the odds for eight-division legend Manny Pacquiao’s comeback fight versus World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight king Mario Barrios on 19 July at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

While they all came out with different figures, they all shared one thing in common.

Pacquiao is the clear underdog at +340 and Barrios the massive -500 favorite, a betting line that is unusual for a man who, for so many years, had the fight game on the palm of his hand.

To pave the way for Pacquiao’s ring return, the Mexico-based governing body on Tuesday announced that it is now rating Pacquiao at No. 5 in the 147-pound division.

The announcement came a day after the Philippine mid-term elections.

News of Pacquiao’s impending comeback wasn’t surprising as media outlets not just in the country but in the United States and elsewhere have been reporting about it since last year.

Pacquiao, who turned 46 last December, hasn’t fought since being upset by Cuban Yordenis Ugas in August 20201 at the T-Mobile Arena.

A couple of months after the Ugas loss, Pacquiao announced his retirement from boxing as he was getting ready to vie for the Philippine presidency in 2022.

Since then, Pacquiao has fought two exhibition matches in Seoul and in Tokyo.

The only boxer ever to win eight world titles in as many weight classes, Pacquiao packs a 62-8-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts.

Barrios, younger by 16 years, holds a 29-2-1 card with 18 knockouts.

Pacquiao’s schedule is being finalized as there is a plan for him to grace a press conference in Los Angeles on 20 May to formally announce his comeback.

Also, Pacquiao’s enshrinement into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota in New York is also fast approaching.

The Hall induction takes place from 5 to 8 June.

The initial plan is for Pacquiao to return to Manila following the LA presser and head back to America in early-June for the Hall.

From the Hall of Fame affair, Pacquiao will set up camp in Los Angeles until he and his team depart for Las Vegas during fight week.

If he upsets Barrios, Pacquiao will beat his own record at welterweight by six years.

He became the oldest to ever win the world welter title when he beat Keith Thurman in July 2019.