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Forbes
5 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight: Odds, Predictions And Picks
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 16: TGB Promotions President Tom Brown (C) looks on as Manny Pacquiao (L) ... More and WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios (R) face off during their news conference at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on July 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by) Manny Pacquiao retired from boxing in 2021. The only boxer to win titles in eight weight divisions ends his retirement on Saturday, July 19. On that night in Las Vegas the 46-year-old Pacquiao steps into the boxing ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, to face 30-year-old WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in the main event of a PBC pay-per-view boxing card. Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Opening Betting Odds And Betting Line Movement When the betting odds for the Barrios vs. Pacquiao were first published, Barrios was listed as the -750 betting favorite over the +470 Pacquiao. The champ is now -390, while the challenger is +220. Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Mexican-US boxer Mario Barrios holds a championship belt during the press conference ahead of his ... More July 19 WBC welterweight title fight against Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao at the NOVO at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on June 3, 2025. Manny Pacquiao on June 3 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. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) The 30-year-old Barrios won the vacant WBC interim welterweight title in September 2023 with a unanimous decision over Yordenis Ugás. He retained the belt in May 2024 with a decision victory over Fabián Maidana. The WBC elevated Barrios to full championship status in June 2024. In his most recent outing, which came in November, Barrios fought Abel Ramos to a split draw to retain the belt. 'If the roles were reversed, Pacquiao wouldn't try to take it easy on me,' Barrios told The Ring. 'He's not going to feel sorry for me in there. It's just the reality of the sport. I am ready to defend my title by any means necessary. 'It's kill or be killed in there. I have to go in there and make sure my hand is raised by any means necessary, whether it's by knockout or by decision. He has age. I have to be ready for whatever he brings.' 'He's such a likable dude,' Barrios said of his opponent. 'It's hard to be like, 'Man, I'm about to square up with him for my title.' But I am going in there with bad intentions. I am trying to get him out of there.' Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) is the No. 3 ranked 147-pounder according to ESPN. Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao attends the press conference ahead of his July 19 WBC welterweight ... More title fight against Mexican-US boxer Mario Barrios at the NOVO at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on June 3, 2025. Manny Pacquiao on June 3 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. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) ESPN reported on Pacquiao coming out of retirement in early May. The former eight-division boxing champion confirmed his return on Instagram, writing, 'On July 19, I return to the ring to face WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Let's make history! #TeamPacquiao 🇵🇭' The 46-year-old Pacquiao last fought in August 2021 when he dropped a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas for the WBA welterweight championship. Not long after that setback, Pacquiao announced his retirement. "Even me, I'm amazed at what I have done," Pacquiao said in a video he posted on social media. "The only boxer to hold world titles in four different decades and became the oldest boxer to win a world welterweight title, an amazing accomplishment." "It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over," he added. "Today, I am announcing my retirement. I never thought that this day would come. As I hang up my boxing gloves, I would like to thank the whole world, especially the Filipino people, for supporting Manny Pacquiao." Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) was the No. 6 ranked welterweight, according to ESPN, when he retired. He is currently unranked. "Goodbye, boxing. Thank you for changing my life," Pacquiao added. "You gave me the chance to find a way out of poverty. Because of you, I was able to inspire people all over the world. Because of you, I have been given the courage to change more life. "I will never forget what I have done and accomplished in my life. I can't imagine that I have just heard the final bell." Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Tale Of The Tape Manny Pacquiao Record: 62-8-2 with 39 knockouts Age: 46 Height: 5'5.5" Reach: 67" Stance: Southpaw Mario Barrios Record: 29-2-1 with 18 knockouts Age: 30 Height: 6'0" Reach: 71" Stance: Orthodox Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Breakdown Manny Pacquiao is 46. Couple that with his inactivity, and no one should expect to see the fighter they remember him being in his heyday when he steps into the ring on Saturday. The question facing Pacquiao is whether the athleticism that helped him in his younger days can still assist him in competition in 2025. Pacquiao's reflexes, speed, and natural abilities helped mask some of the gaps in his game when he was racking up titles in eight divisions. Pacquiao displayed remarkable speed in his punches and footwork, which allowed him to move in and out of range with ease, while also landing blows from odd angles as his foes looked to react to Pacquiao's movement. In his most recent fight, an August 2024 exhibition against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo, Pacquiao displayed slower movement and reflexes, which put him off balance and allowed his opponent to land while Pacquiao looked to recover his stance. At best, the slip in Pacquiao's athleticism will remain where it was during that three-round affair. Don't expect the best-case scenario on Saturday. Mario Barrios is 30 and in his prime. If Pacquiao has declined significantly in his athleticism, which should be apparent early in this matchup, then Barrios must exploit Pacquiao's pressure and tendency to push forward. If Barrios can pick up the timing of his aging opponent's attacks, he should be able to counter effectively and step back out of range before Pacquiao can regain his footing and respond. Barrios's height and reach advantages in this fight will also help him when it comes to countering Pacquiao's attacks. If Barrios can use his jab to keep Pacquiao and force him to work to get into range, that will also help Barrios when it comes to working effective counters. Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Pick And Prediction The pick is for Barrios to win via decision or a knockout in the second half of the matchup. Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Main Event Mario Barrios (29-2-1) vs. Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2): For Barrios's WBC welterweight championship Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Undercard Sebastian Fundora (22-1-1-) vs. Tim Tszyu (25-2-0): For Fundora's WBC junior middleweight title Isaac Cruz (27-3-1) vs. Angel Fierro (23-3-2): Junior welterweight Brandon Figueroa (25-2-1) vs. Joet Gonzalez (27-4-0): Featherweight Gary Russell Jr. (31-2-0) vs. Hugo Castaneda (15-2-1): Lightweight David Picasso (31-0-1) vs. Kyonosuke Kamed (15-4-2): Junior featherweight Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025 Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card Time: 5:30 p.m. ET Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card How to Watch Or Stream: Amazon Prime Video Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card Streaming Cost: $79.95 We will have more on the Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios as fight night nears.
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
Pacquiao ready to spring surprise as he targets Barrios' belt in comeback fight
TGB Promotions President Tom Brown (C) looks on as Manny Pacquiao (L) and WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios (R) pose during their news conference at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on July 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (ETHAN MILLER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) Former world champion Manny Pacquiao is embracing his underdog status as he gets ready to turn back the clock when he steps out of retirement to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in their Saturday (Sunday, Philippine time) showdown at the MGM Grand. The 46-year-old Filipino feels rejuvenated after four years away from the ring and said he was returning for another opportunity to make history. "I'm enjoying training camp as much as I did when I was 26 or 29 years old. The motivation to train hard and the discipline are the same," Pacquiao said at Wednesday's press conference. "I mean, it's because I've been away from boxing why I'm still interested and passionate about fighting." READ MORE | Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios: What you need to know The veteran fighter retired from boxing in 2021. He had a stint in the Philippine Senate from 2016 to 2022 and an unsuccessful 2022 presidential bid. His remarkable record includes championships in eight weight divisions, a first in boxing history, and he was the oldest welterweight world champion at age 40 in 2019. "I cannot imagine that I am still fighting here in the Grand Arena after 24 years. It's a blessing, a favor from God, and I'm so thankful to be here, still fighting and putting on a good show for the fans," he said. The Filipino is also enjoying being the underdog: "In so many of my fights I was the underdog, and I surprised them... Manny always brings surprises," he added. Standing in his path is Barrios, a Mexican-American with 29 wins (18 by knockout) and two defeats in 32 bouts, who remains confident despite facing a boxing great. "You know, Manny is a very likeable person. I can't think of anything bad to say about him other than, you know, he's facing me for my title," Barrios said. "At the end of the day, he's just another man in there. He's another opponent trying to take my title, regardless of everything he's accomplished and given to the sport," the 30-year-old added. —Reuters
