Mario Barrios, Manny Pacquiao and the sad reality of pulling the KO trigger on a legend
Paul had a decision to make. And it all came down to whether he was comfortable pulling the knockout trigger against a middle-aged legend. As the listless fight edged closer to the decision, it became clear Paul either couldn't — or just didn't want to — cause that kind of damage to a man he collaborated with for a rap music video four years prior.
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Tyson went from the baddest man on the planet in his prime to the saddest against Paul, leading to an uncomfortable viewing experience. Paul said at the time of the fight this past November he 'didn't want to hurt someone that didn't need to be hurt."
Fast forward eight months and WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios is welcoming Manny Pacquiao, another of the sport's icons, back to the ring July 19. The world title fight headlines a Premier Boxing Champions card Prime Video will air as a pay-per-view from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It's one of the marquee events of boxing's summer schedule.
The 46-year-old Pacquiao is 12 years younger than Tyson was when he fought Paul on Netflix. But Barrios, 30, is a hell of a lot more talented right now than Paul was back then. The difference in skill level in the two fights offsets the age gaps.
Regardless, Bob Santos, who coaches Barrios, played down any comparison between the two fights when Uncrowned raised concerns about history possibly repeating itself.
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'Manny's not that far removed from his last fight, whereas Mike hadn't fought [a professional fight in 19 years],' he said.
'I think Manny's body is more battle-ready as he's not been the guy who's a drinker, a smoker, or any of those types of things. And he's much younger [than Tyson], and the last thing to go is a punch.'
Pacquiao looks good in the training clips that have been shared online as he prepares for Barrios. But, then, so did Tyson ahead of the Paul bout.
There is a scenario in which Pacquiao starts fast but fizzles out. Maybe he lasts longer than the single round Tyson managed to look decent, but if he fades a few rounds in, or by the middle of the fight, can Barrios pull the trigger, or will he have too much empathy for a living legend struggling in his comeback?
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'If we're in the sixth and seventh round, and we have a chance to take him out, we will,' Santos vowed.
'We have to do that, because if you keep him around, all it takes in this sport is one shot. You could think you're thriving in the fight, but, then — boom! It's good night [and you've lost]. If the opportunity comes to take Manny out, we are taking him out.'
Pacquiao said he's working hard to ensure he still has the stamina to fight a 12-round championship.
At age 46, Manny Pacquiao is once again returning to the ring.
(ROBYN BECK via Getty Images)
'I'm still enjoying running the mountains,' Pacquiao told Uncrowned this month. 'This is a blessing as not every fighter has this feeling. I've been through big fights in my career, and I'm still here. I'm back.
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'I'm the challenger, so I know I have to go the extra mile and punish myself in training to win the fight. That's the goal.'
When Uncrowned spoke to Barrios, he, too, contemplated the possibility of Pacquiao looking his years in the ring, and the in-ring decision he'll then have to make between uncorking a knockout punch or carrying the Filipino to the scorecards — as Paul suggested he did for Tyson.
But unlike Paul, Barrios is 'comfortable with pulling the trigger,' he said. It's the professional thing to do.
'Manny has been doing this his whole life and understands what it takes to go in there,' Barrios said. 'And he's trying to be great. He's trying to do something, fighting for a title at his age — and as a fighter, I have nothing but respect for that.
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'I know if at any point he has me hurt, then there's no question [he'd pull the trigger on me].
'So, it's not personal. It's just business.'
The WBC champ added: 'I'm honored to be sharing the ring with a legend but, at the end of the day, he's trying to take my title. I'm the champion for a reason. Of course, I'm going to try and take him out.
'I wouldn't call it sad — but that's just the reality of boxing.'
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