Pacquiao eyes another piece of history

CEBU, Philippines — When Manny Pacquiao was enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame a week ago, the Filipino sports hero set a record as the only active Hall of Famer.

Another piece of history awaits Pacquiao in his highly anticipated ring comeback next month.

That’s certainly an extra motivation for Pacquiao (62-8, 39KOs) as trades blows with WBC welterweight champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (29-2-1, 18KOs) on July 19  at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

If victorious, Pacquiao will etch his name in stone as first ever active Hall of Famer who reigns as a world champion at the same time.

At 46,  the former Philippine senator will also try break his own mark as the oldest welterweight world titleholder.

During his brilliant professional career that began in 1995, the Pacman has secured 12 world crowns in eight different weight classes.

But he has not fought since losing to Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas for the WBA 147-pound belt in August 2021.

Coming out of a four-year retirement, that would be an added challenge for Pacquiao especially that he is up against the much younger and more active Barrios, who is 16 years his junior.