Ex-World Champ Warns Pacquiao About Returning
Amir Khan has warned Manny Pacquiao against returning to boxing amid reports he will box Mario Barrios on July 19.
Pacquiao retired from boxing in 2021 following his loss to Yordenis Ugas. Pacman left the sport with nothing else to prove, having won titles in eight weight classes. He has had exhibitions during this period, facing off against the likes of DK Yoo and Rukiya Anpo. Pacman has also been campaigning for a seat in the Philippines, as he plans for his life outside of boxing.
Pacman would become the oldest welterweight champion with a win over Barrios for the latter’s WBC belt. However, Pacquiao already holds this record when he defeated Keith Thurman in 2019 at 40 to secure the WBA belt. There is a danger that Pacman will risk getting hurt, as he will return as a 46-year-old. Khan is a former sparring partner for Pacquiao, as he is someone he knows well. Khan has also sparred with Barrios, as Khan talked up the threat that the champion can possess.
Khan Reacts
“It’s a fantastic fight for Mario, he needs that big fight. He’ll be paid well and fighting a legend like Manny Pacquiao, who would say no to that? Mario deserves this fight because every fighter wants that big payday. It will be fantastic for him. When me and Virgil [Hunter] were training together, I used to spar with him quite a lot. He’s a very good boxer. I don’t know how much Manny’s got left in him. If they were in their prime, in their peak, then I’d say all day Manny Pacquiao. But this could be a tricky fight for Pacquiao.
“At the end of the day, he’s been out of the ring for a long time and has he still got the fire in his belly? Barrios, I’m sure he’s going to come in wanting to win this fight because it can change his life. A long lay-off and at the same time you’re always that one punch away from getting hurt. I’m sure he’s got a great career ahead of him in politics.
“He doesn’t need to come back but sometimes you do miss the sport. Manny might miss not having that recognition, that love he used to get being a fighter. But I’m sure people will turn up to watch him. I think it will be a fantastic fight but if I was to advise Manny I wouldn’t say to come back. You should come back to someone that’s already retired, someone like myself for example, because then it’s an even fight. “But when you look at a young fighter who’s still a fighter, who’s still boxing, who’s active, sometimes it’s dangerous,” Khan said
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