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Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios: Who Wins?

Originally posted on Fights Around The World
By Abraham Gonzalez | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 8:31 PM ET

Boxing is back buzzing this weekend as it’s filled with intriguing fight cards, but none more than the WBC welterweight title fight between the champion Mario Barrios and Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao live on PPV from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV.

It almost gives you the feeling that it’s 2009 again when Pacquiao destroyed Miguel Cotto in the 12^th round of their fight. Advertisements flood the streets of Southern California, which has a solid Filipino population, for Pacquiao vs. Barrios watch parties as everyone wants to tune in to see if the legend can do it one more time. In Las Vegas, the strip is buzzing, and it feels like we are approaching a big fight night. The only thing that is left to see is if the 46-year-old Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) has enough in the tank to be victorious over the 30-year-old Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs).

Barrios Feels The Disrespect, But Can He Shine Under the Brightest Lights?

Leading up to fight night, Barrios isn’t the fighter who will be pushing Pacquiao or making a scene. It’s not in his DNA. He’s mostly to himself and tries not to let the moment get the best of him. After beating Yordenis Ugas for the interim WBC title in September 2023, Barrios was eventually elevated to full WBC champion at 147. His title run hasn’t been long, and a brutal split draw in November against Abel Ramos was his first title defense, which likely led to this fight with Pacquiao.

Now, Barrios has the biggest fight of his career against a Hall of Famer, and somehow, he has to find a way to block it all out and complete the task at hand, which is to come out victorious. Barrios feels and sees the disrespect as he’s been marked as the least path of resistance for a world title at 147. He’s allowed it to get to him a little and has said he will be the one to send Pacquiao back into retirement for good, but it often sounds like he’s trying to convince himself of that. Fighters are either prepared or fold under the bright lights, so it will be up to Barrios to figure out how he can be ready for the moment.

How does Barrios beat Pacquiao? He must utilize his youth and athleticism to wear down Pacquiao. Leading with the left jab is a start, but he also has to be a patient counterpuncher when Pacquiao rushes in. Punching with Pacquiao could work for him as well, but he has to remember to bring his hands back to avoid one of those quick, short Pacquiao shots. This gives Barrios the best chance at boxing his way to a unanimous decision.

Does Manny Pacquiao Have One More Great Performance?

We all know that Pacquiao’s last real fight was against Ugas four years ago when he lost by unanimous decision. What we don’t know is how well he’s taken care of his body throughout the time away from the ring. He’s stayed active, but being in elite-level boxing shape is a different story. The punching power will be there, but will the reflexes and accuracy be as well? Legends grow old all the time, but can Pacquiao put together a performance that plays to this stage of his career and win another world title?

Pacquiao has to use his boxing IQ more than in any other fight he’s been in. He’s fighting a taller, younger fighter who will be coming forward. Pacquiao needs to work the body in spurts and keep Barrios guessing throughout the whole night. He needs to intimidate him with foot feints and keep him honest with a 1-2 down the middle. If Pacquiao can break Barrios down, he could stop him late or earn a narrow decision victory. Can he do it, or will Father Time remain undefeated?

Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios Prediction

All signs leading up to fight night indicate that the younger Barrios is expected to defeat the older Pacquiao. The problem is that for many, legends never die, and being that Pacquiao is one, it’s hard to resist the temptation of picking him to win. Saying all of that, I’m picking Pacquiao to earn a controversial split decision on Saturday night in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.