Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios ‘Gloves Off’ Ep 1 & 2 Recap

MP then sings “Forever Young,” poorly, if I may be so bold. “Embodies hope, pride, and the possibility of rising above it all,” says Pepper. Pacman—Fast hands and running hills… in snippets.

I am thinking, you are an icon, but still a man, hampered by inevitable deterioration. I gave Mike Tyson too much aging leeway in assessing Tyson vs. Jake Paul, and I’m not inclined to make the same mistake so soon again.

The old chestnut, how the Philippines stops during Pacquiao fights, is that going to hold on July 19 like it is 2007?

8 Divisions Conquered

Greatest hits are seen, bantams, then featherweight, super feather, welter, 154, up, up and away. Now back to earth, or no?Barrios in a barbershop chat seems relaxed and happy about getting the shot. The door says, ‘Fit Club,’ and we see Barrios building strength and stamina, sprinting on a treadmill, then doing plyometrics.

Barrios at a crossroads—yes, a loss to a 46.5-year-old would be a hard barb to bear. But of course, the payday helps sweeten the task. Barrios was 4 months old when Pacquiao debuted as a pro; how about that? Barrios has the WBC 147-pound strap, and he says it will stay that way.

We see Bob Santos recalling past camps in Wild Card, when they would shout, “It’s Pacquiao Time!” Not this time, the Texan says to his guy Barrios.

Is Barrios A Bit Past Prime Off Wear-N-Tear?

A loss to Gervonta Davis, then Keith Thurman, and a draw with Abel Ramos served to help him improve, he says, and his maturity will show come July 19.

Back to Wild Card; ole Freddie Roach, kinda just like the old days. Pacquiao’s fighting son is there, too. Torches passed? Not yet.

We see footage of Lil Barrios on the amateur grind and hear of his pride in the Mexican heritage. He is hard to hate or root against.

Pacquiao says losses are good because they humble us. That preps us for the finality of our living journey, he notes. An interesting note to land on, and I like it because it is candid and allows for the possibility that, come July 19, age will not be dodged or served.

Episode 2: Sebastian Fundora vs. Tim Tszyu 2

In episode two, we get full focus on the undercard collision between Tim Tszyu (25-2, 18 KOs), the Aussie star on the comeback trail, versus basketball player-sized Sebastian Fundora (22-1-1, 14 KOs). That is a very solid “co-feature” as they like to say. I like “chief support bout,” and sounding like a Brit fight writer named Clive something in 1995.

The very likable Aussie shows his lion trunks, and we see him eating clean. Then, a flashback to the night Fundora upset his very considerable momentum and upside. He craves a get-back, a real rugged test, against a person who had bludgeoned you.

We recall that he was to fight Thurman, but on short notice, he was instead given the freakishly long Fundora on March 30, 2024 —a spidery lefty, as opposed to Thurman, a solid, basic righty.

Fundora looks like he hangs out at libraries. No, you would not peg him as a pugilist if you saw him out and about. Viewers see him at home, with dogs, in the gym prepping. He is the tallest champ in the game, at near 6-7.

Badas% Nerd Looking People

His sis (Gabriela) is also a big deal in the game, and we also see a bit of a nerdy-looking Gabi. They seem to have a true and warm bond, and there is easy laughter as they hang.

The Towering Inferno, by the way, is a really old movie. But it is a compliment, a naming gesture of respect to the title holder Fundora. Young people likely will find it weird.

I saw an ad for Oreo bites and Dixie throwaway plates; back to the show.

In Australia, Tszyu preps. Old gear is dug out, and it smells horrid, yuck. Tszyu sounds settled, understanding that even champs tumble nastily. And forget old laundry bags after battling the back-to-back losses blues.

We see him and his wife Alex, and then dad Kostya Tszyu, a lil legend back in the day. Tsyzu’s last outing rolled over Joey Spencer on April 6, a strong message sender. No, Spencer is not at the Fundora level, fans understand.

Tszyu speaks on his foe, strengths, and weaknesses. Fundora says he will be looking to hurt the taller man. Tszyu watches footage of the first tango, when he started strong. Then a cut and change in vibe. Fundora, like any warrior, will be looking to make the blood flow more freely.

Fundora was also watching fight one, where he too lost blood, from a nose faucet. Tsyzu says, “I was ready to die in that ring, that’s what kept me going.” Fundora may look like a librarian, but he is bottom line up front about his in-ring intent. Destroy, basically. People, Fundora says, fans like to see “a bloody mess.” Bottom line, up front, again.

Barry Pepper mentions the main event, and I am left properly intrigued, appetite whetted.