Manny Pacquiao is considering a title fight against Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title in Las Vegas this fall. The president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, Sean Gibbons, revealed this information to ESPN. Pacquiao, who is 45 years old, last fought in August 2021, where he lost to Yordenis Ugas. Despite his age, Pacquiao is still eager to compete and is planning to seek reelection as a senator in the Philippines next year, following this potential final fight.
To prepare for the potential title fight against Barrios, Pacquiao will first face Chihiro Suzuki, the featherweight champion of Rizin Fighting Federation, in a boxing exhibition on July 28 in Japan. This exhibition match will help Pacquiao stay sharp and ready for the challenging bout against Barrios. Pacquiao expressed his desire to make history with this upcoming fight, believing that he still has a lot to offer to the sport.
As a boxing legend, Pacquiao has achieved numerous milestones throughout his career, becoming the only eight-division champion in history. His last title victory was against Keith Thurman in 2019, and he is determined to add another title to his impressive record by facing Barrios. Despite facing some setbacks, such as being denied the opportunity to compete in the Olympics due to age restrictions, Pacquiao remains focused on his goals in the boxing world.
On the other hand, Mario Barrios, the WBC interim welterweight champion, is also excited about the prospect of fighting Pacquiao. Barrios, who hails from San Antonio, is ESPN’s No. 5 welterweight and has been on a winning streak in his recent fights. He sees the opportunity to fight Pacquiao as a chance to fulfill a dream and honor the boxing legend he looked up to while growing up.
The potential matchup between Pacquiao and Barrios has generated a lot of buzz in the boxing world, with fans eagerly anticipating the official announcement of the fight. Both fighters bring unique skills and experience to the ring, making it a highly anticipated and intriguing showdown. If the fight comes to fruition, it will undoubtedly be a historic moment in the sport of boxing, showcasing the talent and determination of two incredible athletes.