Manny Pacquiao is making a comeback from retirement and is set to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday night. At 46 years old, Pacquiao is older than George Foreman was when he captured the WBA heavyweight title in 1994. Pacquiao, who retired after a loss to Jordenis Ugas in August 2021, is the only boxer to have won world titles in eight different weight divisions, starting with the WBC flyweight title at age 19.
Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather famously fought after some tense negotiations, but Pacquiao had already experienced tough losses before meeting Mayweather, including a close split decision to Timothy Bradley and a knockout by Juan Manuel Marquez. Despite these setbacks, Pacquiao secured two more welterweight titles, the last against Keith Thurman in 2019 when he was 40, more than two decades after his first championship.
Now back from a six-year hiatus, Pacquiao faces the younger, hungry champion Barrios, who is no stranger to high-profile fights. Barrios has showcased strong performances despite losses to Gervonta "Tank" Davis and Keith Thurman but has since claimed the interim WBA welterweight title and successfully defended it, even drawing in a recent match with Abel Ramos. This fight marks the first time Barrios will enter the ring as the favorite against one of boxing’s biggest icons.
Barrios boasts significant physical advantages like a 4-inch reach and over 6 inches in height compared to Pacquiao, making it a challenging fight for the veteran to close the distance. Given Barrios’ activity and power, there’s a strong possibility he could dominate, potentially leading to a technical knockout victory in the later rounds of the fight.
Fight Card and Odds:
- Mario Barrios (C) -275 vs Manny Pacquiao +210, WBC welterweight title
- Tim Tszyu -155 vs Sebastian Fundora (C) +125, WBC Junior Middleweight Title
- Isaac Cruz -550 vs Angel Fierro +380, junior welterweight
- Brandon Figueroa -260 vs Joette Gonzalez +200, featherweight
- David Picasso -2000 vs Kyonosuke Kameda +950, Junior Featherweight
- Mark Magayo -800 vs Jorge Eyes +500, Lightweight
- Gary Allen Russell Jr. -1600 vs Hugo Castaneda +800, Junior Lightweight
Prediction: Pacquiao is reportedly in great shape and aims to show flashes of his former self, but considering his past performance and physical disadvantages, Barrios is favored to win by TKO in the eighth round.
Fan Take: This fight is significant because it pits a legendary figure attempting to defy age against a rising star eager to make his mark, a dynamic that always captivates fight fans. The outcome could either cement Pacquiao’s legacy with a remarkable comeback or highlight the inevitable passing of the torch to the next generation in boxing.
