Boxing great Manny Pacquiao is coming out of retirement to fight Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight crown in July.

Pacquiao’s team made the announcement on Thursday, just hours after he conceded defeat in a bid for another seat in the Philippines Senate.

“His comeback aligns with his scheduled induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June, capping a storied sports legacy that continues to inspire millions of Filipino people,” the press statement said.

It was not clear if the fight at a Las Vegas venue to be decided is a one-off or if 46-year-old Pacquiao is coming out of a four-year retirement to box full-time. Asked to clarify, his communications officer Joey Hernal said the media should wait for Pacquiao’s own press conference.

In the statement, Pacquiao promised to continue serving the country despite losing in the mid-term elections. “I may not have won in my run for the Senate, but I am totally grateful for each vote, each prayer and support,” Pacquaio said in Filipino.

He even thanked voters who did not choose him because “you were part of the process to strengthen our democracy.”

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He said he remains committed to serve the country. “The fight continues. Service continues. For God. For the country. For each Filipino,” he added.

Pacquiao previously served as a senator from 2016-22. He then made a bid for the presidency in 2022 elections but failed. In the mid-term elections on Monday, Pacquiao vied for a second stint in the Senate but finished 18th in voting when only the top 12 made it.

He joins the Canastota, New York-based Hall of Fame next month as one of the most decorated boxers in history.

A world champion in eight divisions from flyweight to super welterweight, he appeared to end a 26-year career in 2021 with a record of 62-8-2 (39 KOs).

Barrios retained the WBC welterweight belt with a draw against Abel Ramos last November in Arlington, Texas.

Reigning champion Australia will be up against South Africa in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

In the lead-up to the final, the International Cricket Council has announced the prize money for the biggest event of the longest format of the sport. The total prize pool for the WTC 2023-25 Final is USD $5.76 million (Rs. 49.28 Crore), more than double that of the previous two editions.

The champions will walk away with USD $3.6 million (Rs. 30.80 Crore), a significant jump from the USD $1.6 million awarded in both 2021 and 2023, while the runners-up will earn USD $2.16 million (Rs. 18.48 Crore), up from USD $800,000.

India, which finished third on the table, will receive $1.44 million (Rs. 12.32 crore).

South Africa topped the WTC standings and became the first team to secure a spot in the final, courtesy of series victories over Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, along with a drawn home series against India.

Meanwhile, Australia booked its place in the final with a 3-1 triumph over India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Its strong campaign also included a 3-0 sweep of Pakistan at home and away series wins against New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

Here’s the full break down of the prize money each team will get:

Josh Hazlewood is set to rejoin Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the remainder of IPL 2025, Sportstar has learnt. While RCB is working with the Australian fast bowler to finalise travel arrangements, a source noted, “We don’t have dates for him yet.”

Hazlewood was initially expected to miss the rest of the tournament due to a shoulder niggle. However, his impending return signals a positive step in his recovery and underlines RCB’s intent to claim a maiden IPL title.

The right-arm pacer has been RCB’s bowling spearhead in IPL 2025, taking 18 wickets from 10 innings, which places him third in the top wicket-takers list for the season.

The 33-year-old is also part of Australia’s squad for the World Test Championship final, where Pat Cummins’ men will aim to become the first team to win the title twice. They face South Africa at Lord’s from June 11.

The IPL, temporarily suspended due to rising cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan, still has 13 league matches remaining. The tournament will resume on May 17 with RCB hosting Kolkata Knight Riders at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru — one of six venues cleared for the rest of the season.

Several Australians involved in the tournament — including players, coaching staff, and broadcasters — flew home over the weekend amid uncertainty around the IPL’s immediate future.