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Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios live updates, results, how to watch, fight time
Manny Pacquiao will step into the ring against Mario Barrios, the reigning WBC welterweight champion, with a chance to make history.
He can become the first boxer to win a world title after being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
It won't be easy. At all. On Saturday, July 19, these are the key challenges he'll face:
Pacquiao is 46. Barrios is 30. Pacquiao is 5-foot-5½. Barrios is 6-foot.
Pacquiao has not fought professionally since 2021, when he lost to Yordenis Ugas by unanimous decision. During Pacquiao's layoff, Barrios has fought five times.
In his prime, Pacquiao would be a heavy favorite against Barrios. Can Pacquiao conjure up the magic he showed many years ago? The answer likely will determine the winner of this bout.
USA TODAY Sports has you covered with updates, analysis and highlights from the Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios card here:
Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios: Time, PPV, streaming for fight
Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios on Saturday, July 19, at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Watch Pacquiao v Barrios with Prime Video PPV
Brandon Figueroa vs. Joet Gonzalez: Round-by-round analysis
Featherweight bout, 12 rounds
The countdown continues to Manny Pacquiao's return, with Brandon Figueroa and Joet Gonzalez first up on the main card. Gonzalez out quick, and just as quick he's eating jabs from Figueroa. They're settled at the center of the ring and no one has emerged as an aggressor. Now Figueroa on the march and digs into the body. Gonzalez throwing, but off the mark. Figueroa using his jab well. As he comes forward, Gonzalez responds, but Figueroa fights back. Figueroa 10, Gonzalez 9
Fighters trade a flurry of body shots. Still digging in to the body before Gonzalez goes head hunting. More body work, but the heads aren't safe as the punches fly. Gonzalez connects with a solid left hook. Figueroa stands his ground and is absorbing shots as a result. Is CompuBox going to be able to keep count here? Replay shows Figueroa punching himself on the brow. Really. Figueroa 19, Gonzalez 19
Gonzalez firing away, to the body and the head. Figueroa responds but without power. Figueroa tap-tap-tap and Gonzalez tearing away. Gonzalez showing speed as Figueroa plods. Gonzalez bleeding from above his right eye. Gonzalez 29, Figueroa 28.
Figueroa comes out throwing uppercuts with more authority and follows that up with left uppercuts to the body. They're in close quarters and Gonzalez gets off punches but not enough to slow Figueroa now. Blood covering Gonzalez's face, and he scores with the jab. It's Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots here. Gonzalez 39, Figueroa 37
No slowdown for these two fighters. Gonzalez wades in despite the chance of headbutts and fact he's already bleeding. He digs into the body and so does Figueroa. Gonzalez pounds Figueroa in the head. Blood flowing again but proving to be no problem for Gonzalez so far. Gonzalez 49, Figueroa 46
Figueroa gets out quickly and works the body. To this point it's been Gonzalez working Figueroa's body like a side of beef. Fighters in close quarters again. An impressive volume of punches. If they're getting paid by the punch, it's going to be a good night. Gonzalez 58, Figueroa 56
The fighters come out and again look Velcroed together. Gonzalez digging in to the body with force and Figueroa responding less forcefully. Too many blows to highlight – and to count. Gonzalez 68, Figueroa 65
Figueroa comes out working and fires uppercuts with both hands. Gonzalez pushes back, but Figueroa looks to be in good position. Gonzalez scores with a flurry. Figueroa lands a hard body shot, but Gonzalez lands a hard right to the head. Gonzalez 78, Figueroa 74
Figueroa marching forward despite the active fists of Gonzalez. Both content to remain in close quarters. Gonzalez lands a hard right, and soon after takes a left hook. But Figueroa stands his ground. Only to get tagged again. Gonzalez 88, Figueroa 83
Figueroa likely down big on the scorecards but showing fight. Figueroa revving up, and Gonzalez happy to trade inside. What a messy cut over Gonzalez's right eye, and Figueroa suddenly looks to be in control. At least for now. Gonzalez 97, Figueroa 93
Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios fight card results
Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios fight card
Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios fight card odds
All odds are for moneyline bets as of Thursday, via BetMGM
Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios Predictions
Peter writes, "Mario Barrios is the ideal opponent for Manny Pacquiao because Barrios' aggressive style and flawed defense make him vulnerable to Pacquiao's creative combinations. Perhaps. But that minimizes other important issues. At 6-0, Barrios will be the tallest opponent the 5 ½ foot Pacquiao has ever faced. Pacquiao has not fought professionally in almost four years. Furthermore, Barrios is 30 and Pacquiao is 46. It'd be great to have the Pac-Man back for more than one fight, but don't count on it."
Brookhouse writes, "We're talking about a 46-year-old man who is returning from years of being retired and who was on the downside of his career when he hung up his gloves the first time. Pacquiao looks to be in great shape, but translating that to success against a younger, bigger fighter who has been active in big fights is simply too big of an ask. Expect Pacquiao to show a few flashes early before Barrios gets rolling. Once Barrios is doing his thing, there's going to be a time when Pacquiao either gets stopped or his team will need to stop the fight for him."
Pimentel writes, "I expect Pacquiao to go all out in the first six rounds of the match because this is what he did against Thurman before, scoring an early knockdown. That knockdown became crucial in the judges' scorecards, which helped him secure the split decision win. As for Barrios, he should weather the early barrage from Pacquiao and turn it up in the tail end of the fight, where Pacquiao would be more vulnerable to counter punches and power shots. Additionally, he should fully utilize his height and reach advantages to keep the challenger at bay while landing his punches and combinations."
Manny Pacquiao faces moment of truth
Punching as hard as ever. Showing impressive speed. In great condition.
The reports out of Manny Pacquiao's training camp about the 46-year-old boxer have been glowing. But it's too early to know what that means, said Chris Algieri, the former WBO junior welterweight champion who will be co-hosting viewer chat during the fight.
'We have an old saying in boxing,'' said Algieri, who was knocked down by Pacquiao six times in a unanimous decision loss in 2014. 'They get old in the ring. You got a 46-year-old brain that hasn't taken any punches in four years. That could play a major factor.''
Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios breakdown
If Manny Pacquiao proves to be as good as the reports out of his training camp suggest, former WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri has identified some key factors in Pacquiao's fight against Barrios.
Algieri suggests too much is being made about the height advantage the 6-0 Barrios will have over the 5-5 ½ Pacquiao. 'He liked fighting taller fighters,'' Algieri said. 'One of them was myself, Oscar De La Hoya, Antonio Margarito. He dominated all three of us.''
Additionally, Algieri said, Barrios likes to exchange punches and is 'there to be hit.''
'I think in Manny's prime, Barrios would be tailor-made, but we're not dealing with Manny in his prime by any means,'' Algieri added. 'And for Barrios, he does a lot of things that would give Manny trouble. Barrios, he's got the length, he's got the youth, he's got the strength, (and) he's got very good fundamentals.''
When did Manny Pacquiao retire?
Manny Pacquaio retired after his loss to Yordenis Ugas by unanimous decision in 2021. But after losing in his Senate race in the Philippines, Pacquiao came out of retirement to fight Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship. It'll be his first fight since the defeat to Ugas.
Pacquiao or Barrios: From boxer who fought both
Keith Thurman, the former welterweight world champion boxer, earned unique insight into the welterweight matchup between Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios set for Saturday, July 19.
He did it by getting in the ring with both men.
Thurman went 12 rounds with Pacquiao in 2019 and suffered a split-decision loss. He went 12 rounds with Barrios in 2022 and won by unanimous decision.
But the only man who knocked him down was Pacquiao, who dropped Thurman in the first round. So, of course, that's his pick to win the fight, right?
Well, not quite.
Read more on Keith Thurman's take on Pacquiao vs. Barrios from Josh Peter.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios main card, ring walk start times
Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios live stream, price
Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios on Saturday, July 19, and the event will be streamed on Prime Pay-Per-View. In the U.S., fans can purchase the event for $79.99.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios: Tale of the tape
