Yes, Virginia, world boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has started training in Los Angeles for his comeback welterweight title fight in Las Vegas on July 19.

Pacquiao, 46, will return to the ring for his first professional fight against current WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios since losing to Yordenis Ugas of Cuba in August 2021.

This as Pacquiao had been cleared to compete by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. 

Pacquiao’s son Jimuel will make his pro debut in the undercard of his title fight.

Before his July 19 WBC title fight, Pacquiao will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Pacquiao holds a 62-8-2 win-loss-draw card with 39 knockouts while Barrios, the reigning World Boxing Council welterweight champion, holds a 29-2-1 win-loss-draw slate with 18 knockouts.

Last November, Barrios eked out for a draw against Abel Ramos. Before that fight, Barrios won a three-fight streak with victories over Puerto Rican Jovanie Santiago, Argentine Fabian Maidana and Ugas — the last guy Pacquaio fought and lost to in the professional scene.

Barrios, who fights out of San Antonio, Texas, won the interim WBC title in September 2023 when he outpointed Ugas and was elevated to full champion in June 2024 after Terence Crawford was designated as the WBC’s “champion in recess” after he moved up to 154 pounds to face Israil Madrimov. Barrios’ only two losses have come to Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman.

Pacquiao arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday night (May 18) from Manila and immediately did road work and shadow boxing at his favorite park the morning after.

A day after arrival in LA, Pacquiao showed up at the Wild Card gym where he and coach Freddie Roach got reunited in 2021 for the Yordenis Ugas fight.

Pacquiao lost to Ugas, who came in as a replacement 10 days before fight night, on a unanimous decision at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

On his first day at the Wild Card Boxing Club gym in Hollywood, Pacquiao worked out for two hours as he did ten rounds on the mitts with Freddie Roach  and training assistant Buboy (Fernandez).

“This is the beginning of another chapter. I’m inspired, I’m motivated, and I’m ready to show the world that I still have what it takes,” Pacquiao said in a statement.

“Laban ito para sa bayan. Para sa lahat ng naniniwala na hindi pa tapos ang laban,” he added.

Pacquiao said he is not worried about his age, and his age gap with Barrios, who was born in 1995, the same year Pacquiao turned professional.

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

After retiring, Pacquiao, the world’s only eight-division champion, made exhibition bouts, the last one against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo, who gave Pacquiao a run for his money in their three-round bout in July last year.

“It’s a big thing for me,” said Pacquiao when asked what it would mean if he beats Barrios.

Fernandez expressed confidence in Pacquiao’s skillset — given at this day and age — after a four-year stoppage in the sport.

“He’s not just in shape—he’s still sharp. Today was about seeing where we’re starting from. And frankly, we’re not far off,” Fernandez said.

Pacquiao remained determined in getting to shape soon, citing his “never-ending love” for boxing.

“This is just the start. We’re testing everything. My body, my timing, my power. Everything will be aligned, and I never stopped loving this sport,” Pacquiao said.