Manny Pacquiao's return to the ring at the weekend after a four-year hiatus marked the latest example of a boxer well past his prime who could not resist the temptation of the squared circle and a chance to add to his competitive legacy.

Several high-profile fighters are standing behind Manny Pacquiao, believing he should have walked away as the winner in his WBC world welterweight title bout against reigning champion Mario Barrios last July 19 (July 20,

F ilipino boxer Manny Pacquiao after his WBC welterweight title fight against Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 19, 2025. Esther Lin, PBC. M

A 46-year-old Pacquiao, boxing professionally for the first time since 2021, challenged Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title

It was a rude awakening. Snow White is still just a cartoon, Peter Pan remains a morning line underdog to Captain Hook and Manny Pacquiao is really 46 years old. The draw he earned Saturday in Las Vegas with Mario Barrios, the WBC welterweight champion, was forged with the only weapons he has left — his courage and his legs.