Manny Pacquiao is deep in fight camp for his July 19 showdown against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, the younger, hungry champion who’s vowed to retire him. Pacquiao appeared on Andre Ward’s All the Smoke Fight Podcast at Hollywood’s Wild Card Boxing Gym, where his training takes place, to speak with Ward about his life growing up and his boxing career’s past, present, and future. The conversation turned to his 2015 loss to Mayweather, which he still analyzes with frustration.
Manny Pacquiao Gives Honest Thoughts on Floyd Mayweather Rematch, "I'll Fight Him Right Now" originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Manny Pacquiao is deep in fight camp for his July 19 showdown against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, the younger, hungry champion who’s vowed to retire him. Yet the Filipino icon seems rejuvenated by the doubters, training with the same ferocity that made him an eight-division world champion.
Pacquiao appeared on Andre Ward’s All the Smoke Fight Podcast at Hollywood’s Wild Card Boxing Gym, where his training takes place, to speak with Ward about his life growing up and his boxing career’s past, present, and future.
The 46-year-old legend admitted he felt the fire return after his four-year layoff, saying, "When I rested for four years, I really missed boxing. I missed those memories, like those hard training camps, the discipline, and the fight."
Though focused on Barrios, Pacquiao couldn’t escape questions about unfinished business, specifically, a long-awaited rematch with Floyd Mayweather. The conversation turned to his 2015 loss to Mayweather, which he still analyzes with frustration.
He revealed to Ward that he nearly postponed the bout due to a shoulder injury, explaining, "I'm just wondering two weeks before the [Mayweather] fight if I'm going to postpone it or not, because I was so bothered with my shoulder. But the thing is, I'm worried for the fans... the whole world was excited for this fight."
Despite the injury, Pacquiao fought through pain, undergoing surgery immediately after.
"The fight was good. Despite all those things, right after the fight, I went to the hospital and got my shoulder operated on,” Pacquiao recalled. “It really hurt. After the operation... it was really hard."
While Pacquiao was convinced he outperformed Mayweather in the heat of the moment, he also rewatched the fight with a level-headed perspective.
"That's his style, I knew it,” Pacquiao said of Mayweather’s defensive, point-heavy style. “I was expecting that I would win the fight because he didn't throw a lot of punches. I threw a lot of punches.
“But I reviewed the CompuBox, slow motion, first round to the twelfth round. I won like two rounds,” he admitted. “That's boxing. I'm not complaining or making [excuses], it just happened that way."
When Ward asked if he’d entertain a Mayweather rematch, Pacquiao said, "Rematch, with who? With Floyd? I'm still active. It's up to him if he's going to fight."
Ward continued asking for clarification if he’d face Mayweather today,
Pacquiao gestured to the ring inside the Wild Card Boxing gym, grinning and laughing, "Even here... even here. Now my right hand is complete. You will see my condition in the fight."
Before any Mayweather talks, Pacquiao must handle Barrios, a humble yet confident fighter who grew up watching PacMan face his favorite fighters.
Age and rivalries aside, Pacquiao’s confidence is undeniable. Whether this is wishful thinking or a legitimate possibility hinges on his performance on July 19. If Pacquiao can turn back the clock against Barrios, he’s ready to chase that long-desired rematch.
Related: Manny Pacquiao Releases Training Footage, Leaving Boxing Fans Worried
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
