LAS VEGAS — When Manny Pacquiao took the trip back to Los Angeles after losing to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021, we all knew that we had finally seen the last of him.

In fact, when he hosted a post-fight press conference, Pacquiao hinted that retirement was inevitable.

Several weeks later, Pacquiao made the formal announcement of his retirement from the fight game.

The end of an era.

But here we are, four years later, pounding the Pacquiao beat again.

The excitement is building up.

Majority of the scribes from Manila who covered the Ugas fight are back.

Happy days are here again.

Hoping Pacquiao wins so we can all look forward to another one towards the end of the year.

But Mario Barrios is out to ruin all these plans.

The favored Texan is capable of doing just that. He is young, aggressive and fresh.

Pacquiao, though seasoned, is 46 and is coming off a long layoff.

But if there’s anybody who can rise to the occasion and defy the odds again, there’s just one guy who can get the job done.

And that’s no other than Manny Pacquiao.

The atmosphere here is starting to get electric.

By the time the bell rings at the MGM Grand Garden Arena this Saturday night, everyone’s going to be all hyped up anticipating another mighty showing by the eight-division legend.

He is the clear underdog but Pacquiao is Pacquiao.

Barrios knows he has to treat him as though he is taking on a formidable foe and not the one people say is already faded and old.

Pacquiao packs a punch and that’s going to play a pivotal role in this much-awaited contest.

If he lands with the same force as before, the title is going to change hands.

If not, then this would definitely be the end of an era.