Manny Pacquiao, a Filipino boxer seen during a press conference on July 21, 2023. IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Manny Pacquiao Shrugs Off Mario Barrios 16-Year Age Gap With Chill 4-Word Reply

Originally posted on KO on SI | By Grant Young | Last updated May 20, 2025 7:16 PM ET

There has been a lot of chatter about 46-year-old Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao's return to the ring against reigning champion Mario Barrios later this summer, ever since this was announced last week.

Much of this chatter has pertained to Pacquiao's age. Not only is he 16 years older than his opponent, but he hadn't looked good in the fights he had before entering retirement. Therefore, given that Barrios is in the prime of his career, there's clear concern from Pacquiao's devoted fanbase that he has bit off way more than he can chew and is risking his health by stepping into the ring.

When Pacquiao's head trainer Buboy Fernandez spoke with FightHype on May 19, he was asked about fans being concerned with Pacquiao still fighting at 46 years of age and said, “Don't judge the number, judge the punch."

Manny Pacquiao is back in Los Angeles beginning preparations for his comeback fight against Mario Barrios pic.twitter.com/A2KYd0a9mR
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 20, 2025

Fans are hoping that Pacquiao's punching power shows itself when he enters the ring against Barrios.

In the meantime, they're going to have to trust not only Fernandez's sentiment about the age gap, but also what Pacquiao had as a message when asked about being 16 years older than his upcoming opponent, which was conveyed during a May 19 interview with FightHype.

“Don’t worry about it," Pacquiao said with a laugh when asked about Barrios having the youth advantage.