MANILA, Philippines – When Manny Pacquiao turned pro in 1995, Mario Barrios wasn’t even born.
Yet, Pacquiao assured fight fans he would be in peak condition when he challenges Barrios for the WBC (World Boxing Council) welterweight belt on Saturday, July 19 (Sunday, July 20, Manila time) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
This, despite Pacquiao being 46 years old and coming from a four-year layoff, not to mention the 6-foot Barrios’ 6 inches height and 4 inches reach advantage.
The 30-year-old Barrios, towering over Pacquiao, in their kickoff press conference and face-off on Saturday, May 31, believes the living legend, saying he’s ready for the best version of Pacquiao, in his second defense of the 147-pound crown.
“Manny is still Manny. He’s a legend for a reason. I’m preparing for a prime Manny,” said Barrios, more respectful than most of the younger fighters who dared belittle boxing’s only eight-division world champion and 2025 valedictorian of the International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend set June 5 to 8 in Canastota, New York.
Pacquiao, ever smiling, promised to spring up surprises, not through magic but through the hard work his four-decade ring career had been built.
“I feel like I’m young,” said Pacquiao. “I keep pushing myself to the limit. I can assure that I’m 100 percent.”
The four-year break from fighting, said Pacquiao, enabled his war-ravaged (62 wins, 8 losses, 2 losses, 39 knockouts) body to recover. He also stayed in shape by playing basketball and badminton, and sweating out in the ring and boxing gym right in his newly built mansion in General Santos City.
Barrios knows Pacquiao has seen every type of style and fought the best fighters of different generations and said he’s expecting nothing less from the Fighter of the Decade (2000 to 2009).
“I have full confidence in myself and my team,” said Barrios. “I want to show why I am the champion and bring the belt back to San Antonio (Texas).” – Rappler.com