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Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Manny Pacquiao issues cutting 11 word response to Eddie Hearn 'mockery' claim over world title boxing comeback
The Pacman takes on Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title in Las Vegas on July 19 Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao insists he will let his fists do the talking in his controversial comeback fight for the WBC welterweight world title next month. Despite not having stepped into the professional ring for nearly four years, the 46-year-old takes on current champion Mario Barrios in Las Vegas on July 19, with the WBC's rules stipulating that former title holders are immediately considered as potential opponents during a voluntary defence. The decision to hand eight-division world champion Pacquiao, who last won a bout against Keith Thurman in 2019, a world title shot has attracted its fair share of criticism in boxing circles, with many arguing that the ageing star should not have been granted a license to fight again in the first place. One of those vocal critics is Matchroom Boxing CEO Eddie Hearn who reckons Pacquiao's comeback at the top level is making a mockery of the sport. He said: "You can't just be out for five years, like already be done and then come back, have a couple of exhibitions, look terrible, and then phone up the WBC and say 'stick me in at number' — what's he five? "But also, it is a business and I do understand but it just makes a little bit of a mockery of the world championships. "And Barrios is not the greatest world champion but I think he's better than what we saw the last time out, when he boxed on the Mike Tyson card, and I think he'll beat Manny Pacquiao quite handily. "I'm happy for Manny but it just should work out like that, and you'll see a shot legend in the ring, which I think is quite sad. "But, listen, if he wants to do it and he's got the will to do it, good luck to him. But I just don't think you should be out five years, not fight anybody, and then just stroll back into the rankings because you're Manny Pacquiao. "Do the fight, but it shouldn't be for the world championship, in my opinion. "But I don't think he has a chance at all, even though Barrios has showed no great form. I think he'll just be too young and strong for him.' The Filipino flash has now hit back at the promoter with an 11-word response as he continues his training camp for the showdown with Barrios. Asked about Hearn's remarks, a smiling Pacquiao replied: "Just watch on July 19th. It will be a good fight." Barrios, 30, has also warned his much older opponent that he is fully intending to get the job done in devastating style on the night. Speaking to YSM Sports Media, the Mexican-American fighter said: "I am going in there with our game plan. "I am going in there with bad intentions. At any point, if I see I have him hurt, it's kill or be killed in there. I see I have him hurt, I am trying to get him out of there. "If the roles were reversed, he wouldn't take it easy on me. It's just the reality of the sport, it's kill or be killed in there."
Daily Record
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Manny Pacquiao given brutal warning ahead of comeback as ageing boxing legend told 'it's kill or be killed'
Pacman is launching a bid to become world champion again at the age of 46 next month Welterweight world champion Mario Barrios insists he won't be taking any prisoners when he faces Manny Pacquiao next month and has warned the ageing boxing legend that he plans to get rid of him in devastating fashion. Former eight-division world champion Pacquaio is launching a comeback at the age of 46 and will step into the ring for the first time in nearly four years when he takes on WBC title holder Barrios in Las Vegas on July 19. The Filipino star has controversially landed a world title shot next month despite his lack of activity, and were he to upset Barrios, he could be in line to defend his belt in a unification showdown against undefeated American WBO champion Brian Norman Jr. While he respects his older counterpart, Barrios - who is 16 years Pacquiao's junior - has warned that he will throw everything at 'Pacman' in the ring because of the brutal "kill or be killed" mentality of the sport. Speaking to YSM Sports Media, the Mexican-American fighter said: "I am going in there with our game plan. "I am going in there with bad intentions. At any point, if I see I have him hurt, it's kill or be killed in there. I see I have him hurt, I am trying to get him out of there." Barrios also insists that he won't take pity on his opponent by prolonging the fight if he has Pacquiao badly hurt. "If the roles were reversed, he wouldn't take it easy on me", he added. "It's just the reality of the sport, it's kill or be killed in there." Pacquiao - who's mega showdown against Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2015 still ranks as the highest grossing boxing fight of all time after generating $410 million (£304 milion) - has also been told to stay away from fellow contender Jack Catterall who has been deemed as 'too dangerous' of an opponent for the veteran. Catterall lost out to Arnold Barboza Jr in a bout for the interim WBO light-welterweight title earlier this year after scoring impressive victories against Regis Prograis and Josh Taylor in the past 13 months. But Catterall's trainer Jamie Moore reckons his man would simply have too much for the ageing Pacquiao were Catterall to step up to the 146-pound division. Moore has also voiced his concerns about Pacquiao's decision to lace up the gloves again. Speaking to SpinBet, he said: 'I'll be honest with you; I'm not a big fan of the fact that Manny Pacquiao is fighting again. "I think he is one year younger than me and it's a dangerous game at the best of times never mind when you're 46 years old. "I really don't see Manny beating Mario Barrios, I just think he is way past his best and it's a young man's sport but if the unbelievable happened and Manny won, I would be really on the fence about it because ultimately, my number one objective would be to get Jack Catterall a world title. "But I wouldn't feel comfortable going in there with someone like Manny Pacquiao because at the stage of his career now, he could get hurt and I wouldn't want to be in the opposite corner when that potentially happened. "It's just a dangerous sport and Pacquiao is an absolute legend, I have the upmost respect for him hence the reason why if that scenario did unfold, I wouldn't feel comfortable with this. But also, I want Jack to win a world title so it would be a hard position to be in."
