WBC hails Pacquiao’s near-win vs Barrios

Despite coming up short of winning a world title at age 46, Manny Pacquiao emerged as the top choice for Comeback of the Year in a poll conducted by the World Boxing Council (WBC).

“The Filipino legend proved that he is still world-class. Pacquiao returned to the ring, showing flashes of the speed and power that made him a global icon, inspiring millions with his discipline despite the passage of time,” the WBC said, referring to Pacquiao’s clash with Mario Barrios for the welterweight championship held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in July 2025.

Pacquiao, fighting for the first time in four years, settled for a draw in a bout many believed he deserved to win.

One judge favored Barrios, younger by 16 years, while the two others saw the 12-rounder even resulting to the match ending on a majority draw.

Dubbed “The Best of 2025,” other notable winners include Naoya Inoue (Fighter of the Year), Oleksandr Usyk versus Daniel Dubois (Knockout of the Year), Pitbull Cruz versus Takashi Fierro (Dramatic Fight of the Year) and Shingo Inoue (Trainer of the Year).

Currently, Pacquiao is still on the lookout for a fight in 2026 and reports have it that he might make a comeback in May or June.

His official American representative Sean Gibbons is said to be moving heaven and earth to strike a deal for Pacquiao to challenge for a world crown.

A possible opponent is the rugged American Rolly Romero, who holds the World Boxing Association jewels.

Through the years, Pacquiao has won multiple world titles in an unprecedented eight divisions, collecting belts from all the major sanctioning bodies.

Of the eight, three were WBC straps.

Pacquiao’s first world title belt was the WBC flyweight title he won in Bangkok in December 1998 while the second was the lightweight plum he had snatched from David Diaz in June 2008 in Las Vegas.

The third — the super-welter diadem — was taken after his beatdown of Antonio Margarito in November 2010 in Dallas, Texas.

The Best of 2025 poll was manned by no less than WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman.