CONCERNS are growing among analysts and fans as boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, now 46 years old, comes out of retirement to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao, a former congressman and senator, ran in the recent midterm elections under the administration’s Alyansa para sa Pagbabago but miserably lost.

Pacquiao hasn’t fought professionally in four years and will be facing a much younger and active opponent. Barrios, 30, was born the same year Pacquiao turned pro — 1995 — and is currently in his prime.

But the age gap doesn’t seem to faze Pacquiao.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said with a laugh in an interview with FightHype upon arriving at the Los Angeles International Airport.

Pacquiao last fought professionally in August 2021, when he lost to Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugas via unanimous decision. Since then, he’s only participated in exhibition bouts, the latest against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in July 2023 — a match that many fans believed showed Pacquiao’s decline.

Despite doubts from critics and fans, Pacquiao remains confident.

“This means a lot to me,” he said when asked what a victory over Barrios would represent.

Adding to the excitement, Pacquiao announced that his son, Jimuel, will make his professional boxing debut on the undercard of the event.

Pacquiao holds a record of 62 wins (39 by knockout), 8 losses, and 2 draws.

Barrios, on the other hand, has 29 wins (18 KOs), 2 losses, and 1 draw. Before settling for a draw against Abel Ramos last November, Barrios had won three straight fights — including one against Yordenis Ugas, the same boxer who last defeated Pacquiao.