Thirty years after clambering through the ropes for his first professional fight as a skinny 16-year-old, Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring once more on Sunday (AEST) for the latest round of his protracted battle with Father Time.

The 46-year-old Filipino icon takes on World Boxing Council welterweight champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas chasing another milestone to crown his glittering 30-year professional career.

The fight headlines a blockbuster Las Vegas card also featuring Australian Tim Tsyzu, who faces Sebastian Fundora in a rematch for the WBC super welterweight title.

Tszyu vs Fundora 2 & Pacquiao vs Barrios | SUN 20 JULY 10AM AEST | In the biggest fight of the year, Tim Tszyu faces Sebastian Fundora in a blockbuster rematch, plus Manny Pacquiao makes his highly anticipated return to the ring to face Mario Barrios. | Order now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

Usyk v Dubois Full Fight Highlights | 03:22

Pacquiao stunned the boxing world in May when he announced that he planned to end his four-year exile from the sport to challenge Barrios, taking advantage of a WBC rule that allows former champions to request an immediate title fight when coming out of retirement.

Pacquiao, who is reportedly set to receive between $US5-10 million for Sunday’s fight, says his comeback is motivated by his passion for the sport and the adrenaline rush of headlining a Sin City fight night.

“I’m returning because I miss my boxing,” Pacquiao said during a recent publicity tour.

“Especially these situations — being interviewed, press conference, training camp, everything like that.

“I missed that. But it has been good for me — I’ve rested my body for four years. And now I come back.”

Sceptics though have voiced concern that Pacquiao, whose last professional win came in 2019, may have bitten off more than he can chew by exercising his right for a title shot against a defending champion Barrios who is 16 years his junior and in the prime of his career.

Even Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s long-time trainer who will be in the Filipino’s corner once again on Saturday, admitted to initially harbouring reservations about the match-up.

“I really don’t want to see him make a comeback, because I think he’s already been great. He’s already done everything he can do,” Roach said in May before Pacquiao’s return was made official.

FULL FIGHT CARD & RESULTS

Main card

Mario Barrios (c) vs. Manny Pacquiao for the WBC welterweight title

Sebastian Fundora (c) vs. Tim Tszyu 2 for the WBC super welterweight title

Isaac Cruz vs. Omar Salcido; super lightweight

Brandon Figueroa def Joet Gonzalez by unanimous decision; featherweight

Prelims

Gary Russell Jr. def. Hugo Castaneda; TKO (10) lightweight

David Picasso def Kyonosuke Komeda; majority decision, super bantamweight

Mark Magsayo def Jorge Mata Cuellar; unanimous decision, super featherweight

Eumir Marcial def Bernard Joseph, TKO (3), middleweight

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