Liam Paro Calls Out Manny Pacquiao As Latest Ranking Sparks Debate

Last Updated:August 02, 2025, 10:07 IST

Pacquiao, 46, returned to welterweight after a four-year break, exciting fans and inspiring challengers like Paro. His No. 9 ranking by The Ring has sparked debate.

Liam Paro wants the Pacquiao fight. (AFP)

Manny Pacquiao, the eight-division world champion, stunned the boxing world by stepping back into the welterweight spotlight after a four-year hiatus. At 46 years old, “PacMan" delivered a gritty performance in a WBC title challenge that, while falling short of gold, reminded everyone why he remains a global force. Pacquiao’s comeback didn’t just reignite fan fervor—it also inspired a new crowd of challengers eager to test themselves against a living legend.

Among the first to sound the trumpet was Australian contender Liam Paro. Fresh off regaining his footing in the super-lightweight ranks, the 29-year-old announced he was ditching the 140-pound class. “I’ve been doing this for 10 years. It’s time for a change," Paro admitted to Main Event. The grind of weight cuts had grown unbearable—and the prospect of two-division glory proved too tempting to resist.

Yet Paro’s decision isn’t purely strategic. It’s personal. “My favorite boxer, Manny Pacquiao, is back—and I want that fight," he declared. Paro envisions capturing a welterweight belt and rolling out the red carpet in Australia for an epic showdown with his idol. With Pacquiao slotting into the world’s top 10 welterweights, Paro knows the clock is ticking: to earn Pacquiao’s attention, every step must accelerate toward the title.

Ranking Controversy

Pacquiao’s sudden re-ranking ignited controversy when The Ring magazine slid him in at No. 9 despite just one fight in four years. “Manny Pacquiao, 46, enters at #9 following his return in July to challenge for the WBC title," the publication posted on Instagram.

Critics pointed out that Mario Barrios, the reigning champion, sits at No. 8, while rising stars like Brian Norman Jr. and Eimantas Stanionis occupy the spots above. Rolly Romero’s conspicuous absence as WBA titlist only added fuel: is Pacquiao’s ranking a nod to his storied legacy, or a fair reflection of current form?

For boxing aficionados, the debate is half the fun. Does a one-off return justify a top-10 spot? Can Pacquiao—now in his late 40s—still stand toe-to-toe with the division’s hungry contenders? The questions only amplify the excitement. After all, the name Manny Pacquiao still moves mountains, and the prospect of Liam Paro’s challenge hints at an unforgettable encounter down under. One thing’s for sure: the welterweight division is feeling more electric.

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Australia

First Published:

August 02, 2025, 10:07 IST

News sports Liam Paro Calls Out Manny Pacquiao As Latest Ranking Sparks Debate

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