Latest news with #Barrios
USA Today
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Manny Pacquiao looks to do something unprecedented in return to boxing
Manny Pacquiao looks to do something unprecedented in return to boxing Manny Pacquaio is set to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 8. At which point he'll be in position to do something no boxer has ever done. Reign as a world champion as a Hall of Fame inductee. Now 46, Pacquaio indicated he's motivated and fit enough to make history as he prepares to fight Mario Barrios, the 30-year-old WBC world welterweight champion, Friday, July 19, in Las Vegas. Pacquaio said he's running up the mountains again, a ritual that has propelled the Filipino boxing star as he has trained for countless fights. And during a news conference Tuesday in Los Angeles, Pacquaio noted his pro boxing career started in 1995 and yet all these years later he still has 'the fire, the determination, eagerness to train hard, to work hard. Even now I'm enjoying working out hard, like running the mountain, working out in the afternoon. Amazing.'' Yet he faces a metaphorical mountain, too. For starters, he's 16 years older than Barrios. Also, this will be his first pro fight since 2021, when he lost to Yordenis Ugas by unanimous decision. He has not won a boxing match since 2019. But Pacquiao made history before. He is the sport's only eight-division world champion. And in 2019, he became the oldest welterweight world champion when he defeated Keith Thurman for the WBA world title. On Tuesday, Pacquaio (62-8-2, 39 KOs) welcomed his age gap with Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) being viewed as helpful experience rather than a liability. 'A big factor for this fight,'' Pacquaio said. 'I've been through a lot of hard fights. Hard, hard fights and experience.'' Facing a legend The boxers from the top four fights on the Pacquaio-Barrios card all talked at least a little trash with their opponent. With the exception of Pacquaio and Barrios, that is. Barrios broke into a smile during a faceoff with Pacquaio. At other times he looked in disbelief. 'I'm defending my WBC (title) against the legend,'' Barrios said at one point. 'This is huge. Something I never really pictured unfolding, but it's here and it's on one of the biggest cards of the year.'' Pacquaio wore a smile through much of the press conference. Even when he put on a pair of sunglasses, he projected warmth. 'Yeah, he's a hard guy to dislike,'' Barrios said. But Barrios indicated he understands Pacquaio won't be quite as gentlemanly during their fight. 'I know if at any point he has me hurt, he's going to get me out of there without a doubt,'' Barrios said. 'And so I have to go and make sure he's not successful and have to go in there and just make sure that my hand is raised at the end of the fight. Whether it's by stoppage or by decision.'' Benefiting from the rest? Those who believe in ring rust will view Pacquaio fighting for the first time in almost four years as worrisome. But Pacquaio, who noted he's been in boxing for 30 years, said it's a 'good thing for me that I rest.' 'I rest four years in my body and now I'm back,'' he added. 'I'm excited for the fans to give a good fight, you know, me so dedicated to my career. Boxing is my passion, the way I train, the way I work hard, punishing myself to the limit and to make sure that I can give a good fight to the fans. So, that's what (you're) expecting (of) me on that fight July 19th. It's going to be a good fight.' Apparently it won't be his last fight either, according Pacquaio. Asked if this bout will be a one-off or if he's ready to make another run, Pacquaio smiled and said, 'Yes, I'm back.'' Hall of Fame history Pacquaio is set to become the first Hall of Fame inductee to fight for a world championship. Mike Tyson, Alexis Arguello, Jeff Fenech and Azumah Nelson each fought in sanctioned bouts after they were inducted into the Hall of Fame but did not fight for a title, according to Jeff Brophy, historian at the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Brophy passed along another piece of history: Sugar Ray Leonard was an announced member of the 1997 Hall of Fame class when he fought Hector Camacho for the International Boxing Council (IBC) middleweight title. Leonard lost to Camacho by fifth-round TKO in March and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in June.
Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Health
- Straits Times
‘Rested' Manny Pacquiao relishing boxing comeback at 46
Manny Pacquiao speaks prior to his WBC welterweight fight versus Mario Barrios at The NOVO at L.A. PHOTO: AFP LOS ANGELES – Manny Pacquiao on June 3 shrugged off concerns about his decision to return to boxing at the age of 46, as he prepares for his world welterweight title comeback against Mario Barrios in July. The charismatic Filipino boxing icon stunned the sports world in May after announcing he would take on World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas, four years after his last fight ended in a disappointing defeat. Pacquiao, who won 12 world titles in eight different weight classes during a glittering professional career that began in 1995, told reporters that the glamour of championship boxing had prompted his return. 'I'm returning because I miss my boxing,' he said at a press conference in Los Angeles. 'Especially these situations – being interviewed, press conference, training camp, everything like that. 'I missed that. But it has been good for me – I've rested my body for four years. And now I come back.' Pacquiao also said that he had been left devastated following his decision to retire in the wake of his loss to Yordenis Ugas in 2021. 'I always thought, even when I hung up my gloves, 'I can still fight, I can still feel my body, I can still work hard',' he added. 'That moment when I announced hanging up my gloves four years ago – I was so sad. I was crying, I cannot stop the tears coming out my eyes.' Some in boxing have expressed concerns about whether Pacquiao's comeback against Barrios, who is 16 years his junior, represents a risk to the Filipino's safety. Addressing those concerns, he noted that his family and loved ones were firmly behind his comeback. 'The people who really concern me, is my family,' he said. 'My family saw how I move, saw how I train, saw my body condition. They support me because they can see the old Pacquiao style.' Pacquiao is able to challenge immediately for a title due to a WBC rule that allows former champions to request a title fight when coming out of retirement. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said that Pacquiao had been cleared to return to the ring by the Nevada Athletic Commission after undergoing medical exams, describing the fighter's comeback as 'low risk'. Barrios said he would set aside the Filipino's status as one of the most beloved fighters of his era. 'There's nothing but good things to say about him outside the ring,' he said. 'He's a hard guy to dislike. But at the end of the day, you know it's kill or be killed. 'So I just have to go in there and make sure that my hand is raised at the end of the fight.' In other boxing news, World Boxing has apologised after Imane Khelif was named in its announcement on mandatory sex testing for all boxers in its competitions, saying the Paris Olympics gold medallist's privacy should have been protected. The global body, which will oversee boxing competitions in the 2028 Olympics, made the announcement last week, less than a year after Khelif won gold in Paris amid a gender-eligibility row. The announcement specifically said the body had sent a letter to the Algerian Boxing Federation saying Khelif 'may not participate in the female category' of any World Boxing event until she undergoes the test. However, a source said World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst had personally written to Algerian Boxing Federation president Abdelkader Abbas to apologise for including Khelif's name. AFP, REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Daily Express
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
‘Rested' Pacquiao relishing boxing comeback at 46
Published on: Wednesday, June 04, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 04, 2025 By: AFP Text Size: Pacquiao, who won 12 world titles in eight different weight classes during a glittering professional career that began in 1995, told reporters on Tuesday that the glamour of championship boxing had prompted his return. MANNY Pacquiao on Tuesday shrugged off concerns about his decision to return to boxing at the age of 46 as he prepares for next month's world welterweight title comeback against Mario Barrios. The charismatic Filipino boxing icon stunned the sports world last month after announcing he would take on World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas, four years after his last fight ended in a disappointing defeat. Pacquiao, who won 12 world titles in eight different weight classes during a glittering professional career that began in 1995, told reporters on Tuesday that the glamour of championship boxing had prompted his return. 'I'm returning because I miss my boxing,' Pacquiao said at a press conference in Los Angeles. 'Especially these situations -- being interviewed, press conference, training camp, everything like that. 'I missed that. But it has been good for me -- I've rested my body for four years. And now I come back.' Pacquiao said that he had been left devastated following his decision to retire in the wake of his loss to Yordenis Ugas in 2021. 'I always thought, even when I hung up my gloves, 'I can still fight, I can still feel my body, I can still work hard,'' Pacquiao said. 'That moment when I announced hanging up my gloves four years ago -- I was so sad. I was crying, I cannot stop the tears coming out my eyes.' Pacquiao, though, revealed that working out at his home in the Philippines persuaded him he still had the fitness and strength to fight. 'I realized when I'm playing basketball, training at the gym my house -- I have complete sport facilities in my house -- that I still have that passion. I still have that speed and power,' he said. 'Low-risk' comeback Some in boxing have expressed concerns about whether Pacquiao's comeback against Barrios, who is 16 years his junior, represents a risk to the Filipino's safety. Addressing those concerns, Pacquiao noted that his family and loved ones were firmly behind his comeback. 'I'm thankful for them for their concern,' Pacquiao told AFP. 'But the people who really concern me, is my family. My family saw how I move, saw how I train, saw my my body condition. They support me because they can see the old Pacquiao style.' Pacquiao, who has reunited with veteran trainer Freddie Roach for next month's fight, is able to challenge immediately for a title due to a WBC rule that allows former champions to request a title fight when coming out of retirement. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman told AFP on Tuesday that Pacquiao had been cleared to return to the ring by the Nevada Athletic Commission after undergoing medical exams, describing the fighter's comeback as 'low risk'. 'Manny Pacquiao is at no higher risk than any fighter going into the ring,' Sulaiman said. 'Manny has rested his body for four years. He's not a drinker. He's not a drug user. He's a family man that has taken care of himself. So of the different aspects of dangers, he's at the lowest risk.' Pacquiao's opponent, Barrios, said he would set aside the Filipino's status as one of the most beloved fighters of his era. 'There's nothing but good things to say about him outside the ring,' Barrios said of Pacquiao. 'He's a hard guy to dislike. But at the end of the day, you know it's kill or be killed. 'And I know if at any point he has me hurt, you know he's going to get me out of there. So I just have to go in there and make sure that my hand is raised at the end of the fight.' * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Manny Pacquiao looks to do something unprecedented in return to boxing
Manny Pacquaio is set to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 8. At which point he'll be in position to do something no boxer has ever done. Reign as a world champion as a Hall of Fame inductee. Advertisement Now 46, Pacquaio indicated he's motivated and fit enough to make history as he prepares to fight Mario Barrios, the 30-year-old WBC world welterweight champion, Friday, July 19, in Las Vegas. Pacquaio said he's running up the mountains again, a ritual that has propelled the Filipino boxing star as he has trained for countless fights. And during a news conference Tuesday in Los Angeles, Pacquaio noted his pro boxing career started in 1995 and yet all these years later he still has 'the fire, the determination, eagerness to train hard, to work hard. Even now I'm enjoying working out hard, like running the mountain, working out in the afternoon. Amazing.'' Manny Pacquiao before a 2021 fight against Yordenis Ugas. Yet he faces a metaphorical mountain, too. Advertisement For starters, he's 16 years older than Barrios. Also, this will be his first pro fight since 2021, when he lost to Yordenis Ugas by unanimous decision. He has not won a boxing match since 2019. But Pacquiao made history before. He is the sport's only eight-division world champion. And in 2019, he became the oldest welterweight world champion when he defeated Keith Thurman for the WBA world title. On Tuesday, Pacquaio (62-8-2, 39 KOs) welcomed his age gap with Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) being viewed as helpful experience rather than a liability. 'A big factor for this fight,'' Pacquaio said. 'I've been through a lot of hard fights. Hard, hard fights and experience.'' Facing a legend The boxers from the top four fights on the Pacquaio-Barrios card all talked at least a little trash with their opponent. With the exception of Pacquaio and Barrios, that is. Advertisement Barrios broke into a smile during a faceoff with Pacquaio. At other times he looked in disbelief. 'I'm defending my WBC (title) against the legend,'' Barrios said at one point. 'This is huge. Something I never really pictured unfolding, but it's here and it's on one of the biggest cards of the year.'' Pacquaio wore a smile through much of the press conference. Even when he put on a pair of sunglasses, he projected warmth. 'Yeah, he's a hard guy to dislike,'' Barrios said. But Barrios indicated he understands Pacquaio won't be quite as gentlemanly during their fight. 'I know if at any point he has me hurt, he's going to get me out of there without a doubt,'' Barrios said. 'And so I have to go and make sure he's not successful and have to go in there and just make sure that my hand is raised at the end of the fight. Whether it's by stoppage or by decision.'' Benefiting from the rest? Those who believe in ring rust will view Pacquaio fighting for the first time in almost four years as worrisome. But Pacquaio, who noted he's been in boxing for 30 years, said it's a 'good thing for me that I rest.' Advertisement 'I rest four years in my body and now I'm back,'' he added. 'I'm excited for the fans to give a good fight, you know, me so dedicated to my career. Boxing is my passion, the way I train, the way I work hard, punishing myself to the limit and to make sure that I can give a good fight to the fans. So, that's what (you're) expecting (of) me on that fight July 19th. It's going to be a good fight.' Apparently it won't be his last fight either, according Pacquaio. Asked if this bout will be a one-off or if he's ready to make another run, Pacquaio smiled and said, 'Yes, I'm back.'' Hall of Fame history Pacquaio is set to become the first Hall of Fame inductee to fight for a world championship. Advertisement Mike Tyson, Alexis Arguello, Jeff Fenech and Azumah Nelson each fought in sanctioned bouts after they were inducted into the Hall of Fame but did not fight for a title, according to Jeff Brophy, historian at the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Brophy passed along another piece of history: Sugar Ray Leonard was an announced member of the 1997 Hall of Fame class when he fought Hector Camacho for the International Boxing Council (IBC) middleweight title. Leonard lost to Camacho by fifth-round TKO in March and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in June. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Manny Pacquiao chases history as he returns to ring at 46
The Sun
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘Rested' Pacquiao relishing boxing comeback at 46
MANNY Pacquiao on Tuesday shrugged off concerns about his decision to return to boxing at the age of 46 as he prepares for next month's world welterweight title comeback against Mario Barrios. The charismatic Filipino boxing icon stunned the sports world last month after announcing he would take on World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas, four years after his last fight ended in a disappointing defeat. Pacquiao, who won 12 world titles in eight different weight classes during a glittering professional career that began in 1995, told reporters on Tuesday that the glamour of championship boxing had prompted his return. 'I'm returning because I miss my boxing,' Pacquiao said at a press conference in Los Angeles. 'Especially these situations -- being interviewed, press conference, training camp, everything like that. 'I missed that. But it has been good for me -- I've rested my body for four years. And now I come back.' Pacquiao said that he had been left devastated following his decision to retire in the wake of his loss to Yordenis Ugas in 2021. 'I always thought, even when I hung up my gloves, 'I can still fight, I can still feel my body, I can still work hard,'' Pacquiao said. 'That moment when I announced hanging up my gloves four years ago -- I was so sad. I was crying, I cannot stop the tears coming out my eyes.' Pacquiao, though, revealed that working out at his home in the Philippines persuaded him he still had the fitness and strength to fight. 'I realized when I'm playing basketball, training at the gym my house -- I have complete sport facilities in my house -- that I still have that passion. I still have that speed and power,' he said. 'Low-risk' comeback Some in boxing have expressed concerns about whether Pacquiao's comeback against Barrios, who is 16 years his junior, represents a risk to the Filipino's safety. Addressing those concerns, Pacquiao noted that his family and loved ones were firmly behind his comeback. 'I'm thankful for them for their concern,' Pacquiao told AFP. 'But the people who really concern me, is my family. My family saw how I move, saw how I train, saw my my body condition. They support me because they can see the old Pacquiao style.' Pacquiao, who has reunited with veteran trainer Freddie Roach for next month's fight, is able to challenge immediately for a title due to a WBC rule that allows former champions to request a title fight when coming out of retirement. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman told AFP on Tuesday that Pacquiao had been cleared to return to the ring by the Nevada Athletic Commission after undergoing medical exams, describing the fighter's comeback as 'low risk'. 'Manny Pacquiao is at no higher risk than any fighter going into the ring,' Sulaiman said. 'Manny has rested his body for four years. He's not a drinker. He's not a drug user. He's a family man that has taken care of himself. So of the different aspects of dangers, he's at the lowest risk.' Pacquiao's opponent, Barrios, said he would set aside the Filipino's status as one of the most beloved fighters of his era. 'There's nothing but good things to say about him outside the ring,' Barrios said of Pacquiao. 'He's a hard guy to dislike. But at the end of the day, you know it's kill or be killed. 'And I know if at any point he has me hurt, you know he's going to get me out of there. So I just have to go in there and make sure that my hand is raised at the end of the fight.'
