Manny Pacquiao’s comeback to boxing for a summer title shot has inspired NFL legend Tom Brady to make a return to Football.
That’s the view of Sean Gibbons, MP Promotions President and long-term Pacquiao right-hand man.
Gibbons fed off a story in the UK’s Daily Mail stating Brady wanted to return. Unfortunately, the story cites unconfirmed ‘insider sources’ and didn’t come straight from the horse’s mouth. The article also doesn’t state that the Tom Brady comeback will be for the forthcoming NFL season.
Instead, the report predicts Brady’s selection for Team USA at the 2028 Olympic Games after the International Olympic Committee approved the no-contact version, Flag Football, for the Los Angeles showpiece.
The insider states, “He (Tom Brady) wants a Gold medal. And what better way to remain the GOAT and return to the sport he loves than by helping his country win gold?
“He knows he could help and excel in that environment. Since his life is very much scheduled and has a tight regimen, many things could fall into place for him around that time.
“With the Olympics being in LA, he wouldn’t have to travel far. And it would culminate in one of the best birthdays ever.”
Brady would be 50 by the time the Games come around and is unlikely to be part of the event. However, it does make for a good story, and Gibbons wasted no time linking Pacquiao to a hand in the return of the most decorated quarterback in NFL history.
Manny Pacquiao Sean Gibbons
Gibbons exclusively told World Boxing News, “Tom Brady is inspired, saw Manny Pacquiao saying ‘I’m back!’
“So, Tom Brady (said) he’s coming back. If Manny Pacquiao can do it at 46, I can do it at 47!”
Pacquiao challenges Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The fight marks a full circle event for the veteran, whose first world title was the coveted green and gold belt at flyweight in 1998.
If Pacquiao can dethrone Barrios, he extends his record as the oldest welterweight champion ever by six years.
On July 20, 2019, Pacquiao defeated the unbeaten Keith Thurman via split decision at the same venue to capture the benchmark.
This time around, another win sees Pacquiao also overtake George Foreman on the list of the oldest world champions. The only man standing above him is Bernard Hopkins, who did it at 49.
Firat Arslan claims to be the oldest at 53, but his 2024 win over Angel Ledesma only had the WBA Gold belt on the line.
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Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay and learn more about the author. Phil has been an experienced boxing writer and World Boxing News Editor since 2010.