Boxing’s only eight-division champion, Manny Pacquiao, is all set to return to the ring after nearly four years of retirement against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. However, the 46-year-old’s former promoter, Top Rank head honcho Bob Arum, is “really concerned” about his former star boxer’s return for a world title fight. Arum, through his promotional company, had promoted ‘PacMan’ for much of the boxing legend’s career. After signing a contract in 2003, the veteran promoter guided Pacquiao through major fights, which included his rise to stardom with bouts against Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Oscar De La Hoya.

Though they parted ways in 2017 when ‘PacMan’ launched his own promotional company, MP Promotions—which is now co-promoting the Pacquiao vs. Barrios fight with PBC, Arum still expresses appreciation for all that Pacquiao accomplished during his time with Top Rank. “I can’t say anything negative because Manny meant so much to us and our company,” Arum said recently. “But it seems really questionable that, at his age, he would put himself at risk by going into the ring with a champion fighter.”

“I mean, George Foreman wasn’t even that age–he was younger when he beat Michael Moorer,” the 93-year-old continued. Arum highlighted that Foreman, then 45, was active for years before fighting Moorer in November 1994, whereas “Manny hasn’t been active at all, really.”

It’s worth noting that Manny Pacquiao officially retired in September 2021 following his loss to Yordenis Ugas, though he has since participated in a couple of exhibition bouts. His most recent outing against Rukiya Anpo raised eyebrows about his current abilities, fueling further questions about the viability of his return. Regardless, this begs the question: What are the two reasons behind Arum’s worry?

Despite concerns, Bob Arum will be rooting for Manny Pacquiao

Even though Arum made a great point about Pacquiao’s age, Bernard Hopkins, at 46, out-pointed Canada’s Jean Pascal to win the WBC light heavyweight title. However, Hopkins was active and winning in the years following his 2011 Pascal fight. Whereas Pacquiao hasn’t won a fight in nearly six years. This has added to Arum’s worries.

“He’s an amazing person, Manny Pacquiao,” Arum said in the interview. “And if anybody can do it, he can do it.” Despite the optimism, Arum highlighted two reasons for his concerns about Pacquiao’s comeback. “But I’m really concerned about it, given his age and his inactivity.” Even then, Arum continues to support his former fighter.

“But again, I will certainly be rooting for him because he’s really a great guy who has meant so much to us as a company.”

That being said, it appears Bob Arum has his reservations about the Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios fight because of Pacquiao’s age and inactivity. So does a huge chunk of boxing fans. But the question is—can ‘Pac-Man’ defy the odds?