Pros Predict Pacquiao Vs. Barrios – ‘He Is A Beast’

Manny Pacquiao is making a surprising return to the ring at 46 years old on July 19 against Mario Barrios for the WBC Welterweight Title, as boxing insiders gave their predictions.

Pacquiao hasn’t fought professionally since 2021, when he lost by decision to Yordenis Ugas. His last win came in 2019 against Keith Thurman. Since retiring, “Pacman” has stayed active with exhibition bouts—his most recent was against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo. Barrios, 30, is coming off a frustrating draw with Abel Ramos. Barrios has spoken about moving up to 154 pounds. However, before he does that, he has big fights at 147. A win sets up a possible unification, possibly against the winner of Brian Norman Jr. vs. Devin Haney. Here is how boxing insiders saw the fight playing out. 

Predictions

‘Manny Pacquiao is 46 years old but he’s professional and training hard every day. Let me tell you something—I think Manny Pacquiao is the new world champion,” Marquez said

“What a perfect match-up that is for Manny Pacquiao. Look, I sparred Barrios, I’ve trained with Barrios, he used to train with Virgil [Hunter] back in the day. A very good fighter, a very good boxer, he’s not dangerous enough for someone like Manny Pacquiao, he’s not a hard, hard fight, he’s basic but he’s good at his basic stuff. For Manny, I think it’s a great fight. It’s a fight that’s winnable even if he’s had half a hard camp,” Amir Khan stated

“Whether he wins or loses, Pacquiao is a legend and I would love to fight him. Barrios and I have been cool for the longest time, I don’t want to fight Barrios. I want Barrios to beat Pacquiao. Barrios is really big, man. Pacquiao is fast, so Barrios just has to time him. He throws fast from a lot of different unconventional angles. But he jumps in, and look at what Juan Manuel Marquez did when he knocked him out in 2012,” Rolando Romero stated

“I don’t think Barrios is going to win. I think Manny is going to win. Yes [Convincingly],” Jeff Mayweather said

“I can’t see Manny winning. I’ll be honest with you. Nah, I can’t see it. I think age is a big factor, you know? Even though he’s my favorite fighter and stuff like that, Mario Barrios is a beast. 30 years young, in the prime, going for a world title. It’s a hard challenge for Manny,” Tszyu said

Full Card

Mario Barrios vs. Manny Pacquiao (Welterweight)

Sebastian Fundora vs. Tim Tszyu (Junior Middleweight)

Isaac Cruz vs. Angel Fierro (Super Lightweight)

Brandon Figueroa vs. Joet Gonzalez (Featherweight)

Gary Russell Jr. vs. Hugo Castaneda (Lightweight)

Alan Romero vs. Kyonosuke Kameda (Super Bantamweight)

Mark Magsayo vs. Jorge Mata Cuellar (Super Featherweight)

Abel Ramos vs. Jose Luis Sanchez (Welterweight)

Omar Salcido Gamez vs. Brian Gallegos (Super Lightweight)

Eumir Felix Marcial vs. Bernard Joseph (Middleweight)

Jursly Vargas vs. Sergio Aldana (Super Lightweight)

Joseph Brown vs. Aaron Watson (Super Welterweight)