Pacquiao Confident About Beating Barrios – ‘Getting Better As He Ages’
Manny Pacquiao is confident about beating WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios.
Pacquiao has not boxed professionally since his 2021 defeat to Yordenis Ugas. Since then, Manny has had one exhibition fight against DK Yoo. Pacman came out victorious with a unanimous decision win. At 45, Manny will return to the ring to face ex-K-1 champion Rukiya Anpo in a three-round exhibition on July 28 in Saitama, Japan, during a Super RIZIN 3 card. Following the win, Pacquiao hopes to box Barrios for the full title.
Pacquiao Vs. Barrios
Barrios became the champion once Terence Crawford moved up to 154 pounds. Mario defeated Ugas to become the interim champion. Once he was elevated to a full champion, he defended his belt against Fabio Maidana. This will be, by far, Barrios’ biggest fight in terms of profile. He has come up short against the big names before.
Gervonta Davis knocked him out. Meanwhile, Barrios lost a unanimous decision against Keith Thurman. But with Manny likely to be 46 before any such fight, he will fancy his chances. However, the manager of Pacquiao’s promotional company (Sean Gibbons) is confident that his fighter will win.
“It’s a 50-50 fight but a very winnable fight for Manny. Barrios is the perfect fighter. He has the right style because he’s there to be hit and he brings it. He wants to mix it up. Over the next month or so, we’ll either be able to make the fight or won’t.
“It’s very important to get a fight in by December. This is a very important time right now. We have a very short window. This could be the last year because Manny might run for office next year in the Philippines. Manny is like a fine bottle of wine and getting better and better as he ages. He hasn’t lost his speed, power or passion. He loves to fight. If I didn’t think he could fight at the highest level, I would advise him against it and to do something else,” Gibbons said
Will It Happen?
Nevertheless, it is hard to envisage Manny being any better. His performance against Ugas showed that father time had caught up with him. While styles do make fights, Barrios is in the prime of his career. There are dangers that boxers come out of retirement at a late age to suffer damage. Evander Holyfield showed that when he boxed Victor Belfort as a 58-year-old in 2021. Holyfield’s reaction times were no longer the same.
He was dropped in the first round and suffered sustained punishment before the referee stopped the fight. There are concerns that Pacquiao will put himself in harm’s way. But there are alternatives if the Barrios fight does not go ahead. Gibbons has mentioned the possibility of a fight with Conor McGregor. McGregor has only boxed once, losing to Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
Since McGregor is an MMA fighter, this is by far a less risky option. It would allow Manny to earn a big payday and avoid putting himself in danger of much harm. But if he desires to add to his legacy, then the Barrios fight will do that, making Manny the oldest welterweight champion once again.
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