When legends speak, the boxing world listens. At 46, when most athletes comfortably reminisce about past glories, Manny Pacquiao is stepping back into the ring, gearing up for a compelling comeback fight against the younger and hungry Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on July 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The concerning part, though, is that the Filipino legend’s opponent is 16 years younger than him. As a result, the questions are evident—can he still do it? Can Pacquiao, at the age where most boxers are safely retired, reignite the flame and rewrite history once more?

With such lingering questions surrounding the eight-division world champion’s return, it’s no wonder the boxing fraternity eagerly awaits expert opinions. Who better to weigh in than the ‘Golden Boy’ himself, Oscar De La Hoya? De La Hoya, who once shared the ring with Manny Pacquiao in their memorable 2008 bout, recently offered his candid thoughts while on the sidelines of Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation’s annual ‘Big Fighters, Big Cause’ Charity Boxing Night.’

“I wish him all the best,” De La Hoya responded warmly, genuinely rooting for the fighter who once halted his own storied career. Yet, despite the camaraderie, when asked pointedly about Manny Pacquiao’s prospects against Barrios, he paused, almost as if replaying years of his boxing experiences in his mind, and cautiously replied, “Can he do it? Absolutely! Manny Pacquiao’s a legend, you know, he’s a legend. I think—I think he can do it absolutely. I mean, it’s—it’s not going to be easy, but um—but I think he can do it, yeah.”

His comments, although optimistic, were carefully laced with a strong note of caution that echoed loudly: “Not gonna be easy,” which captures the nuanced reality Manny Pacquiao faces, serving as a subtle warning wrapped in encouragement.

The reason behind Oscar De La Hoya’s belief in Manny Pacquiao

Before becoming Pacquiao’s admirer from the sidelines, Oscar De La Hoya was once standing directly across the ring from the legendary Filipino. Their paths famously crossed in December 2008, in what many boxing fans still remember vividly as “The Dream Match.” What was anticipated to be a closely contested battle turned instead into a dominating performance by Manny Pacquiao. Oscar De La Hoya, though physically bigger and initially favored, suffered a punishing defeat, ultimately retiring on his stool after eight bruising rounds.

“He was just too fast,” De La Hoya later confessed in multiple interviews, reflecting humbly on that night. In hindsight, this defeat marked the end of “The Golden Boy’s” glittering career inside the ropes, transforming his relationship with Manny Pacquiao from fierce adversaries to respectful peers.

Since then, the head of Golden Boy Promotions has frequently shown admiration and respect toward Pacquiao, acknowledging him openly as one of boxing’s greats. Whether publicly or privately, the once fierce rivalry transitioned seamlessly into mutual respect, as De La Hoya often credited Manny Pacquiao’s speed, grit, and relentless ambition for pushing boxing to new heights.

Interestingly, De La Hoya’s current perspective isn’t only shaped by his past encounters with Pacquiao. His familiarity with Mario Barrios adds an extra layer to his assessment. Barrios, who has competed under the promotional umbrella of Premier Boxing Champions—an entity with whom De La Hoya maintains good relationships—has always been highly regarded by Oscar.

Thus, when De La Hoya says it’s “not gonna be easy,” it’s clear he’s weighing Manny Pacquiao’s legendary status against his personal understanding of Barrios’s grit and determination—reflecting on history, and knowing firsthand just how unpredictable and merciless the sport of boxing can truly be.