OPINION | If Manny Pacquiao can step into a ring at 46, take on Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title, and claim a credible draw, then Floyd Mayweather is not as far removed from world championship contention as many would like to believe.
Pacquiao not only went twelve rounds with the younger Barrios, but the Filipino legend now believes he can dethrone Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, a two-weight world ruler in his prime.
It’s a telling benchmark for where boxing’s all-time greats stand in 2025.
And if Pacquiao can still trade leather on the highest stage, then so can his eternal rival.
Floyd Mayweather still has the skills
Mayweather, now 48, hasn’t fought officially since 2017 when he stopped Conor McGregor. Yet, he’s kept himself in fighting shape through a long string of exhibitions.
While easy-money outings against YouTubers and influencers have overshadowed his competitive drive, the reality is simple: Floyd is still a generational talent with the reflexes, defense, and fight IQ to contend with today’s champions.
He needs a significant camp to do so, but if Pacquiao can do it, there’s no reason why Floyd can’t.
Look at the current crop. Romero, for all his personality, has fundamental flaws. Barrios, while consistent, is not regarded as a pound-for-pound operator.
Mayweather, even at half speed, would find ways to nullify them both.
Pacquiao’s recent run proves age is only a number when it comes to actual elite fighters. If ‘Pac-Man’ in his mid-forties can keep himself in the conversation, ‘Money’ Mayweather, two years older, could just as easily slip into a title bout and outclass the very men Pacquiao is targeting.
The Question of Desire
The biggest question is not ability, but desire. Does Mayweather want the grind of a real camp, twelve rounds under the bright lights, and the pressure of putting his spotless 50-0 record on the line?
That remains the only conceivable barrier between Floyd and a world title comeback.
Because let’s face it: if Pacquiao can still be seen as a threat to Barrios and Romero, Mayweather, with his unmatched defensive mastery, could still be champion in 2025.
Failing that, Mayweather could still mix it with Pacquiao himself.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.