Perhaps even in his dreams, Manny Pacquiao wouldn’t have imagined that his comeback would attract such huge flak. Though it’s still two months before he makes an attempt to dislodge WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios from the throne, the boxing great has been hit with a scathing indictment for a comeback that follows a four-year-long absence from the ring.

Incidentally, Pacquiao’s last title defense, the one he lost to Yordenis Ugas, came two years after he clinched it from Keith Thurman. With the WBC approving his challenge, boxing’s only eight-division champion will step into the ring as a fifth-ranked contender. However, concerns and doubts over the 46-year-old legend’s return continue to rise. It’s been ten years since Pacquiao fought his nephew, but Jeff Mayweather didn’t mince his words when asked for his opinion on the July 19 showdown between Pacquiao and Barrios.

Manny Pacquiao: Deserving or undeserving, settle that first

A reporter asked the former IBO super featherweight titleholder, who once famously lost to Oscar De La Hoya, “Well, we talked about a week ago about Manny potentially coming back. It’s official now, man. He’s coming back, going for another belt, taking on Mario Barrios. What do you make of this?” So before he jumped in to answer the question, Jeff Mayweather explained how the boxing landscape has changed over the years. The sport has been increasingly witnessing instances of retired fighters and champions plotting a comeback. So Manny Pacquiao, who retired four years ago, has also joined the bandwagon to claim fresh glory.

While recalling Pacquiao’s last fight, the reporter incorrectly cited the Thurman fight. Nevertheless, it was sufficient for Floyd Mayweather‘s uncle to drive his point. Jeff Mayweather said, “Yeah, but I mean the thing is that he’s done nothing to be fighting for a world title.”

Nothing to cheer about, really

For one, Jeff Mayweather may have merely dismissed Manny Pacquiao’s championship claim. However, there are a few who appear certain that the boxing great is inching towards a major embarrassment. Eddie Hearn’s star fighter, unified welterweight champion Jaron Ennis, is potentially planning to extend his dominance. The move nonetheless puts him directly in line for a confrontation against both Brian Norman Jr. and Mario Barrios. So, naturally, a possibility arises: what if Pacquiao defeats Barrios and shocks the world?

However, Hearn is certain. “I mean, one, he won’t beat Barrios,” the Matchroom box stated. Though not trying to be overly judgmental, he still finds the situation hard to believe. In fact, Hearn’s lament extended to the whole boxing system. He wondered, how is it that someone can be inactive for 5 years, be well past their prime, and then suddenly be ranked number 5 in the world, seemingly just by requesting it?

“It’s like, at least put him in at 14, do you know what I mean? Why would you put him at five? Why would you put him in at all?” Eddie Hearn started. If Pacquiao’s last exhibition against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo appeared dour, then the latest gym footage only helped dampen the mood further. During a conversation with Ade Oladipo, Ariel Helwani had a stark warning: “He’s not Floyd, who has hardly been hit. He’s been knocked out cold.”

So many foreboding thoughts on a living legend’s dramatic return to the ring.

What’s your take? Do you know what Jeff Mayweather and Eddie Hearn said?