Eight-division legend Manny Pacquiao is back on American soil and all geared towards a rousing comeback in July.
Pacquiao hit Los Angeles on Sunday night (Monday in Manila) accompanied by wife Jinkee and were met by their California-based son Jimuel.
Reports have it that Pacquiao is slated to battle defending World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Mario Barrios on 19 July in Las Vegas.
Last week, the Mexico-based WBC came out with its latest raking, listing the 46-year-old Filipino southpaw at No. 5 in the 147-pound class despite being inactive since August 2021 when he lost the World Boxing Association plum.
Pacquiao’s arrival in the US marks the start of a two-month training camp.
It hasn’t been decided yet if Pacquiao will reunite with Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood or transfer to another training facility.
Buboy Fernandez, the fighter’s childhood friend and trainer, also joined Pacquiao in the Philippine Airlines flight that landed at LAX at around 8 p.m. (11 a.m. of Monday in the Philippines).
The Barrios showdown will be Pacquiao’s first professional bout since being upset by Cuban Yordenis Ugas at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
There is also a plan for Pacquiao’s son Jimuel to turn professional in the undercard of the Barrios fight.
Last year in Tokyo, Pacquiao fought Rukiya Anpo of Japan in an exhibition. In December 2022, he battled Korean DK Yoo in Seoul.
Early next month, Pacquiao will be taking a short break from training when he attends his enshrinement into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.