Manny Pacquiao returned to the arena for the first time in nearly four years on July 19, challenging Mario Barrios to win the WBC middleweight title. The battle was officially announced Saturday in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao, 46, is the boxing team's only eight-pointer champion. He fought for the last time in August 2021, when he suffered losses from a unanimous decision at Yordenis ugas of T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOS) won the championship in his career starting in January 1995 from flying weight (112 pounds) to junior middleweight (154 pounds). On June 8, he will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Since Pacquiao became a professional in January 1995, only five male combatants have been selected for the IBHOF.

According to ESPN Research, Holly Holm entered IBHOF in 2022 and will be the first woman to complete the feat when fighting Yolanda Vega on June 28.

If Pacquiao beats Barrios, he will be the first fighter to win the World Hall of Fame title.

"I always surprise fans," Pacquiao said at a news conference in Las Vegas on Saturday. "I didn't take it easily. I pushed myself to the limits of preparing for this battle."

What he has achieved in his career, why did Pacquiao come back? Why did he win the title after being eliminated for many years? What opportunities does he have with the 16-year-old fighter?

Andreas Hale answered these questions and more.

Why did Manny Pacquiao come back at the age of 46?

He hinted at his reasoning on Saturday that he still had love for the sport.

"I'm back because it's my passion," Pacquiao said. "I've been away for four years, but I always think about boxing. I really miss it."

His first post on social media confirms the May 21 fight and also mentions the history attached to the round. “I’m back,” he wrote, summing up the post with “Let’s make history!” Pacquiao will try to be the oldest fighter to win the welterweight title, breaking his record set in 2019 when he defeated Keith Thurman at the age of 40 for the WBA belt.

How does Pacquiao win the championship in the return battle?

Although Pacquiao hasn't won the battle in the last six years, the WBC rules state that former champions can demand a title battle after retirement. After announcing his return, Pacquiao is the WBC No. 5 middleweight. He was behind Devin Haney, Souleymane Cissokho, Conor Benn and Egidijus Kavaliauskas.

How did Pacquiao look the last time he saw him on the ring?

Just like the older version of Pacquiao. Pacquiao lacks footwork and explosiveness against UGA in 2021, making him the first and only eight-point guard world champion in a boxing match. His movements were predictable, with Cuban technical boxer Ugas holding the Filipino feel with a jab and circling his entrance with his right hand. It was a competitive encounter, but UGA was the obvious winner. According to Compubox, Pacquiao landed only 130 of 815 punches (19%). Pacquiao has been easy since losing to Floyd Mayweather in the 2015 blockbuster. In the past six battles, from November 2016 to August 2021, Pacquiao played 10 less times, seven fewer times per round compared to December 2008 to April 2016.

Who is Mario Barrios?

Barrios is a tall, thin 30-year-old who fought in San Antonio and is the WBC middleweight champion. He is 6 feet tall and is a nightmare for the 147-pound division as he has a significant height advantage for most of his weight class. He is a high-volume hole puncher who often negates his height and 71-inch range by choosing to fight inside.

But his recipes have been successful in his career. After winning a professional in 2013, Barrios led 26-0 before being stopped by Gervonta Davis in 2021 in the welterweight match in junior high school. Barrios lost his next fight to former middleweight champion Thurman in 2022, but has remained unbeaten in the past four games, including a final victory over Pacquiao in 2023, winning the vacant WBC WBC interim title after defeating Ugas in 2023.

In November's latest fight, Barrios splits with Abel Ramos and Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.

"Every battle and main event I've ever been in is ready for Manny Pacquiao," Barrios said Saturday. "This is my moment. I defend the legend."

How will this affect Pacquiao's IBHOF sensing?

no. Pacquiao was voted for the International Boxing Hall of Fame in December before planning to retire. Pacquiao will join Vinny Paz, Michael Nunn and others in this year's class on June 8.

Too early prediction

Pacquiao (+300 per ESPN bet) looks slow, not sure when he lost to UGAS four years ago. The boxing legend will require his explosiveness and speed early in his career to overcome Barrios' physical strength. Barrios (-400 favorite) will use his length and reach out to keep his opponent outside and eliminate Pacquiao to retain his title by deciding to keep it.