Fans gathered outside Nat Thai Food at the Freddie Roach Square shopping center in Hollywood in July. They weren't just there for the food, but also for a glimpse of Pacquiao – eight-division world champion, politician, and the Philippines' most famous athlete.

He often visits this favorite restaurant after training at Freddie Roach's legendary Vine Street gym, Wild Card Boxing. It has been four years since Pacquiao last trained at Wild Card, and the crowd was unsure if they'd see him there again.

Some carried photos for autographs, others boxing gloves. One person simply held a baby and a pen. Some just wanted a glimpse of the living legend before his comeback fight – a WBC welterweight title challenge against Mario Barrios in Las Vegas on 19/7.

Manny Pacquiao (right) trains at Wild Card Boxing with coach Freddie Roach before his fight against Hector Velazquez in August 2005. Photo: AP

Manny Pacquiao (right) trains at Wild Card Boxing with coach Freddie Roach before his fight against Hector Velazquez in August 2005. Photo: AP

"I'm coming back because boxing is my passion," Pacquiao told ESPN. "It's all I think about, and I really want to make history."

Pacquiao's last official fight was a WBA welterweight title bout against Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas in August 2021. After 12 rounds without a knockout, the Filipino boxer lost on points and failed to reclaim the title.

In this comeback, Pacquiao aims to break his own record as the oldest welterweight champion – a feat he achieved when he defeated Keith Thurman for the WBA title at 40 in 2019. The Filipino boxer was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on 8/6 and will become the first fighter to win a world title after being inducted if he defeats Barrios.

Manny Pacquiao, the only eight-division boxing champion, has been a professional boxer since January 1995. Photo: ESPN

Manny Pacquiao, the only eight-division boxing champion, has been a professional boxer since January 1995. Photo: ESPN

Twenty-four years later, the boxer from General Santos, Philippines, returns to where it all began. He's training at Wild Card under Roach's supervision, entering the fight as the underdog in a world title match at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

At the back entrance of Freddie Roach Square's small parking lot, behind a door marked "Please close the door," one of the world's most famous athletes is training. His friends and family gather in the gym, cheering him on.

Roach, the 65-year-old trainer who has worked with champions like Miguel Cotto, Amir Khan, and Peter Quillin, smiles as he watches his student move around the gym with enthusiasm and passion. Roach has seen this before, back in 2001, when a then-unknown Pacquiao arrived at the gym and asked to train.

"In May 2001, we went to San Francisco for a vacation and stayed for about a month and a half," Pacquiao recalled. "We visited a few gyms in the Bay Area. Then, we took a Greyhound bus to Los Angeles and asked around if there were any boxing gyms, and were directed to Wild Card."

Roach was impressed from the moment he stepped into the ring with Pacquiao. "After one round, I knew I had a new fighter, and Pacquiao told his manager Rod Nazario that he had a new trainer," Roach told ESPN.

Behind Pacquiao is an image of him (left) throwing a left hook at Lehlo Ledwaba during their IBF junior featherweight title fight at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, USA in June 2001. Photo: ESPN

Behind Pacquiao is an image of him (left) throwing a left hook at Lehlo Ledwaba during their IBF junior featherweight title fight at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, USA in June 2001. Photo: ESPN

Less than a week later, Pacquiao became a replacement fighter to face Lehlo Ledwaba for the IBF featherweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Filipino boxer had only two weeks to prepare before his American debut. It was a chance to see if the short time was enough for Roach to significantly impact Pacquiao's performance.

Despite being the underdog, Pacquiao surprised everyone by winning with a technical knockout against Ledwaba in the sixth round, securing his second world title. That night, everything changed for Pacquiao, Roach, and Wild Card Boxing.

"When Pacquiao beat Ledwaba, Wild Card felt like the Manny fan club headquarters," Roach said. "His fans were friendly but persistent. They would gather in the parking lot to meet him when he arrived, they would have lunch at the shop next door, buy t-shirts, and leave. It was amazing what happened here when Pacquiao was in town training for a fight."

Amidst the changes, much remains the same since that fight 24 years ago. The fans are still persistent, visiting Nat Thai whenever Pacquiao prepares for a fight, and the Filipino boxer remains determined. He's hitting the heavy bag hard and sparring intensely.

"I feel like I'm starting over," Pacquiao said. "I'm passionate, and the fire is burning inside me again. I sparred 30 rounds the other day, and Freddie had to intervene to make me stop."

Pacquiao reads briefing materials as he prepares for a Senate session in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines on 20/9/2016. Photo: Reuters

Pacquiao reads briefing materials as he prepares for a Senate session in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines on 20/9/2016. Photo: Reuters

But returning with a championship fight at 46 after a four-year retirement is a challenge for any boxer, even a legend like Pacquiao. The Filipino boxer said he needed that four-year break for his body to recover after focusing on his political career.

Pacquiao entered politics in 2010 when he was elected as a Congressman representing Sarangani province, Philippines, and then as a Philippine Senator in 2016. In 2022, Pacquiao ran for president of the Philippines with the goal of promoting change and development for the country but was unsuccessful. He then decided not to seek re-election to the Senate in 2025, announcing his official retirement from politics to refocus on his boxing career at 46.

Many experts believe Pacquiao should have a warm-up fight before taking on a major bout. Although Pacquiao hasn't won a fight in six years, WBC rules state that a former champion can request a title fight after retirement.

Pacquiao trains at Wild Card Boxing on 1/7. Photo: ESPN

Pacquiao trains at Wild Card Boxing on 1/7. Photo: ESPN

Pacquiao's biggest challenge in making this comeback was convincing his wife, Jinkee. She has repeatedly asked him to retire, especially after his knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012. "She can see that I still have that fire in me," Pacquiao said. "I said I could beat Barrios and asked her what she thought. She said, ‘Yes, you can fight him. If that's your opponent, prove that you can fight.’"

Pacquiao's future after the Barrios fight is also drawing attention. If he continues to make history, will he be content with retirement, or will this be the start of another incredible chapter in his career?

"It's hard to say what tomorrow will bring," the 46-year-old boxer said after a moment of silence. "I always leave it to God, and He has given me the opportunity to fight again. But if my body feels good after this fight..."

He paused, silently contemplating before committing to continue fighting. At 46, Pacquiao isn't ready to let his boxing career end.

Hong Duy (ESPN)