Manny Pacquiao aims to break own record in $3m world title fight
Manny Pacquiao is only returning to boxing for the money.
But the veteran trainer goes even further, saying the whole promotion of his showdown with Mario Barrios this weekend is skewed in Pacquiao's favour so the Filipino icon can retire as one of the greats.
'I don't know why he's coming back – well I guess I've heard … money – but he's just putting himself out there to retire forever,' Mayweather told Code Sports ahead of Pacquiao's WBC welterweight world title fight with Barrios in Las Vegas this weekend.
'This is all set up, it's for him to win.
'He's making the most money. And Barrios is a young fighter that still has a long time left in the sport and can still become a world champion again.
Manny Pacquiao is coming back after a four year lay-off. Picture: PBC Boxing
'This is basically one last shot for Manny.'
Pacquiao is a modern boxing great and fought in one of the biggest bouts in the sport's history against Floyd Mayweather.
But he's 46 now and hasn't fought in four years.
He hasn't even won a fight in six years.
Tim Tszyu, who fights Sebastian Fundora in the co-main event, is tipping Barrios to win.
'Age isn't just a number in boxing,' he told Code Sports. 'Even though Manny Pacquiao is Manny Pacquiao, it's a big ask.
'He's a legend and he's cemented his legacy, but he's going in with a young, hungry lion.'
He's the only eight division world champion in boxing history, but Pacquiao is a $3.10 underdog against the all action champion Barrios, and if he wins he'll set a new world record as the oldest titleholder in welterweight history.
Jeff Mayweather fought Oscar de la Hoya. Picture: The Ring Magazine via Getty Images
He already holds that record, set when he scored a split decision win over Keith Thurman in July 2019.
The idea that Pacquiao – as great as he is – is allowed to come out of retirement and immediately land a world title shot, has rubbed many boxing people the wrong way.
'It seems unfair to me how this was done,' Mayweather said. 'Manny hasn't fought in four years, yet he gets an immediate title shot.
'That's not right.
'You have fighters that are in that weight class, and ranked one, two, three and four.
'But this man came from retirement and took all that thunder.
'Anyone who was next in line didn't get their shot.'
Pacquiao's Australian trainer, Justin Fortune confirms Mayweather's claims about the mega payday Pacquiao stands to make.
And the Los Angeles-based trainer, and former heavyweight contender, says Pacquiao may continue fighting after this weekend.
Pacquiao can break his own world record as the oldest welterweight world champion this weekend. Picture: PBC Boxing
'If they offered you a lot of money, you'd fight too,' Fortune told Code Sports after Pacquiao fronted a huge press conference at the MGM Grand on Thursday.
Fortune says it's not just Pacquiao cashing in, but Barrios too. And anyone else who fights him.
'The offers will come, and they'll come from a lot of fighters – they all want the payday,' he said. 'It's called prize fighting for a reason.
'You're there for the money, and right now, Pacquiao's the money.
'I would imagine (he'll keep fighting) but we just need to get through this bloke first.
'Manny's had a good camp, he's listened and he's done his stuff. He's listened to his body, he's fast, strong and he's happy.'
Brendan Bradford
Content producer
Brendan Bradford is a sports writer for CODE Sports. He primarily covers combat sports, league, union, cycling and athletics. Brendan has worked in sports media for a decade, covering world title fights, World Cups, Grand Slams and Spring Tours.
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