The boxing world has erupted in controversy after former eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao has been reinstated at number five in the WBC welterweight rankings, despite being inactive professionally for nearly four years.
The 46-year-old Filipino boxing icon is scheduled to challenge current WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios (29-2-1) on July 19, ending a lengthy hiatus from professional competition. Pacquiao's last professional bout ended in a convincing defeat to Yordenis Ugas in 2021, and his only ring appearances since then have been described as uninspiring exhibition matches.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman defended the decision last week, highlighting Pacquiao's historic connection to the organization: "At this time, Mario Barrios is going to fight Manny Pacquiao in July. That's a tremendous fight. Manny Pacquiao's first title was at flyweight, with the WBC. And [now] he wants to retire as the WBC champion."
The controversial ranking has generated significant backlash from boxing enthusiasts. Critics point out that ranking someone who hasn't secured a victory since 2019 at the fifth position defies sporting logic. One fan called the decision "insane," while another described it as "pathetic" and "embarrassing" given Pacquiao's extended absence from professional competition.
According to the official WBC regulations, champions must defend their titles against 'Qualified Challengers,' a category that includes former WBC champions—a technicality that enables Pacquiao's immediate title shot despite his inactivity.
Boxing analysts at Statbet have highlighted that fighters typically lose approximately 15% of their speed and reaction time after age 40, making Pacquiao's championship aspirations at 46 a significant statistical outlier in combat sports history.
Despite the criticism, 'PacMan' remains confident in his abilities. In an ESPN interview last year, he stated: "I made history at 40 beating Keith Thurman, and I feel at 45, I have a lot left in the game as I haven't taken a lot of punishment over the last few years."
Currently, Pacquiao sits below more active fighters in the rankings, including well-known names Conor Benn and Devin Haney. Many fans have expressed concerns about both the sporting integrity of the ranking and potential safety risks for the aging legend, with some predicting he will "lose to Barrios easily."
Pacquiao initially left boxing in 2016 to focus on his political career in the Philippines before making sporadic returns to the ring. His upcoming bout represents what could be a final attempt to cement his legacy in a sport where he is already considered one of the greatest of all time.
