Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP) (Photo by RICHARD A. … [+]
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Pacquiao’s manager, Sean Gibbons, made it clear when he was in Hamburg, Germany, for the WBC Convention that the 45-year-old Filipino legend wants to challenge Barrios.
“Manny was just in Dubai, and 2025 is probably his last year of real competitive boxing, and he’d still love the Mario Barrios fight, and some people believe Manny really has a shot in that fight, and that’s been the goal to make,” said Gibbons, per Boxing Scene. “So hopefully we will see what happens here at the WBC Convention, but he started with the [W]BC [international title]. What a way to go out, fighting for a ‘BC title.”
Barrios is also being pursued by Conor Benn who has recently been reinstated following a suspension that stemmed from testing positive for banned substances in October 2022.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 21: Manny Pacquiao gestures to fans after his WBA welterweight title … [+]
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Pacquiao is set to campaign for re-election to the Senate in the Philippines, but Gibbons says that the next three or four months would be the “perfect time” for the eight-division world champion to train.
Pacquiao and his team have zeroed in on Barrios because they believe the latter’s promoter and management, Premier Boxing Champions and Al Haymon, would be easy to work with on a deal.
“You would look at Mario Barrios being with PBC, Mr. Al Haymon, who’s done Manny Pacquiao’s last three or four fights, and he’s the only one who’s stepped up,” Gibbons continued. “There’s been a lot of talk about doing stuff, but Al Haymon’s the only one that’s put his money where his mouth and promotions are. So if the Barrios fight happens, it will be under the banner of PBC. I would think Las Vegas would be the perfect way for Manny to go out. Manny came in in Vegas [against Lehlo Ledwaba] he can go out in Vegas.”
Gibbons seems to be speaking about the potential bout as a retirement fight for Pacquiao, but what if he wins? Would he still walk away?
Pacquiao was last in the ring for an exhibition against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in July. While the fight was supposed to be an exhibition, Anpo didn’t appear to get the memo. He brought it to the legend aggressively.
While the fight was scored a draw, most who saw it believed Pacquiao struggled to keep pace. The Ring Magazine’s Jake Donovan said Pacquiao “did nothing at all to make him want to see him in a real fight ever again, whether Mario Barrios or any other relevant welterweight.”
Pacquiao’s last official fight happened in August 2021, when he lost a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas. No one wants to see Pacquiao take unnecessary punishment, but it is difficult to say that we wouldn’t watch Pac-Man vs. Barrios.
Pacquiao is one of a handful of fighters you show up to see, no matter what. Stay tuned.
