Height no problem for Manny
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 27 May 2025
WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios is listed anywhere between 5-9 and 6-feet but height isn’t an issue with 5-5 challenger Manny Pacquiao who faces the fighter called El Azteca in a scheduled 12-round title bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, on July 19. When Pacquiao schooled 5-11 Antonio Margarito in Arlington, Texas, in 2010, height wasn’t a problem and neither was the Mexican’s five-inch reach advantage.
MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said Barrios’ height was “up there” and didn’t seem bothered. Gibbons isn’t also worried that Pacquiao is coming off a four-year layoff. “The layoff, age----they’ll play a little bit of a factor,” he noted. “But Manny’s a veteran, knowledgeable, he knows what to do in the ring.” Barrios, 30, wasn’t even born when Pacquiao, 46, turned pro in 1995.
Gibbons was at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles when Pacquiao showed up for his first workout last week. It was the day after he flew in from Manila. “Maybe, a little jet lag but Manny looked sharp, ready to go,” he said.
Gibbons said Pacquiao’s son Jimuel may fight on the Las Vegas undercard. “It’s being discussed,” he said. “Manny asked about it. Is Jimuel ready? It’s a big, big step on a big, big stage but you gotta start somewhere. Jimuel was great in his last fight (beating Patrick Reyes on a unanimous three-round decision at the Spring Rumble card staged by Gibbons’ son Brendan in Las Vegas last April 19). He looked nice. It was a perfect spot for him, perfect place, perfect experience. He’s still green but he works hard and has the desire to do this.”
Photo: Manny Pacquiao and son Jimuel work out at the Wild Card Gym, Los Angeles (Photo by Jhay Otamias).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SPORTS RECORDS 11: NONITO DONAIRE'S TWO KNOCKOUTS OF THE YEAR
By Maloney L. Samaco, Tue, 11 Nov 2025HIGHLAND BOXING PROMOTIONS OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON JEFF MAYWEATHER'S POSTPONED THAILAND VISIT
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Finishes 9th in World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Luisito “Lindol” Espinosa and the Art of Playing Boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Island Time: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight World Title Unification Showdown Set For January 31 at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
Tue, 11 Nov 2025Kyle Lowry becomes the 12th player with 20 seasons or more in the NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Donaire awaits WBA decision
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 10 Nov 2025Joel “lethal” Lewis inks Managerial deal with Dragon Fire Boxing
Mon, 10 Nov 2025Meet Jayr Raquinel: The Filipino Sensation Taking the Super Flyweight Division by Storm
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 10 Nov 2025NONITO DONAIRE HOPES TO BECOME TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Astrobio loses by TKO in 7th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MONSTER VERGIL ORTIZ JR. DESTROYS ERICKSON LUBIN IN SECOND-ROUND
Sun, 09 Nov 2025Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Shines for the Philippines on First Day of World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 09 Nov 2025P20k for 42k winners in 3rd SDSPPO
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025