Four years after announcing his retirement, Manny Pacquiao made his much-anticipated return to the ring, stepping in on Saturday to challenge WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. At 46 years old, his comeback sparked mixed reactions — some worried about the risks of fighting at such an advanced age, while others were simply thrilled to witness the Filipino icon back in action.
But for Justin Fortune, Pacquiao’s long-time strength and conditioning coach, there’s no debate about his significance to the sport.
“A lot of people want to see Pacquiao fight. Boxing needs Pacquiao. We need an exciting fighter,” Fortune said.
Pacquiao’s return was met with a massive show of support at the MGM Grand Garden Arena during Friday’s ceremonial weigh-in, where a large, passionate crowd — overwhelmingly pro-Pacquiao — turned up to cheer their hero’s world title bid.
Fortune compared Pacquiao’s importance to the sport with the heavyweight division’s need for a star like Mike Tyson in his prime:
“We don’t have a Tyson to revive boxing in the heavyweight division. And in the middleweights, welters, and lightweights — they keep boxing going. Boxing needs Pacquiao at the moment. We need an exciting fighter, and that’s Manny.”
For Fortune, Pacquiao’s fight against Barrios was more than just a title shot — it was a moment for boxing itself. A victory, he said, would only further cement Pacquiao’s legacy as one of the greatest fighters in history.
