Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is one fight away from joining the ranks of the oldest world boxing champions as he faces WBC welterweight titleholder Mario Barrios on July 19.
If victorious at age 46, Pacquiao would become the second oldest boxer in history to win a world title, trailing only Bernard Hopkins.
Hopkins secured the record when he won the WBC light heavyweight title against Jean Pascal in May 2011 at 46 years and 126 days old.
He defended his championship until losing it in November 2014 and returned once more in 2016 at 51, falling to Joe Smith Jr. in his final bout.
Before Hopkins, George Foreman held the distinction after knocking out Michael Moorer at age 45 and retaining his title at 46 years and 102 days.
Foreman’s last fight took place in November 1997, just two months shy of his 49th birthday.
Pacquiao, who will enter the ring at 46 years and 214 days old, hopes a win over the 30-year-old Barrios will cement his place in boxing history.
The bout is set at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.