Good Fortune for Manny
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 06 Jul 2025
Australian strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune said yesterday Manny Pacquiao is ready to go 12 rounds in battling WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, on July 19 but isn’t discounting the possibility of a knockout win.
“Manny’s power is intact and it’s God’s gift,” said Fortune who has worked with Pacquiao since 2003. “He’s always in shape, he’s as strong as ever. Of course, it could go the distance. Nobody wants to get knocked out and Barrios is the world champion. But Barrios thinks he can walk all over an old man. That’s not going to happen.”
Fortune said Barrios is beatable and isn’t in the same class as the welterweight champions of the recent past like Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Oscar de la Hoya. “This new generation of 147-pound champs isn’t the same as before,” he said. “Barrios is slow, flat-footed. Still, he’s a warrior and if he gets hit, he’ll strike back. He’ll stand up and fight.”
The other day, Pacquiao sparred 12 rounds at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, taking on 5-10 undefeated lightweight Darrial Kuchmenov in six and 5-11 welterweight Saul Bustos in six. “Manny wasn’t even breathing hard,” said Fortune. “Those guys are good fighters who’re tall like Barrios.” Kuchmenov, 22, has a 9-0 record, with 7 KOs while Bustos, 31, is 15-2-1, with 8 KOs.
“The key is not to overtrain and burn out,” said Fortune. “You know Manny, he always asks for more rounds so we pull him back. It’s about quality over quantity. We don’t talk about the (Yordenis) Ugas fight. All is forgotten. The camp for Ugas was chaotic. Too many distractions and Manny was running for president the next year. He had things on his mind. Bad timing for a fight but that’s in the past. Things are different now. Camp has been terrific.”
It was Pacquiao who reached out to Fortune to reunite with his team. “We’re all back together, Freddie (Roach), Buboy (Fernandez) and Manny’s working as hard as ever,” said Fortune.
Photo: Justin Fortune (with his 8-year-old twins Cayden and Sophie) watches over Manny Pacquiao in an outdoor workout in LA (photo by Jhay Otamias).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Fri, 09 Jan 2026Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 09 Jan 2026Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
Fri, 09 Jan 2026Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 09 Jan 2026Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
Fri, 09 Jan 2026IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
Fri, 09 Jan 2026SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 09 Jan 2026Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 08 Jan 2026Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
Thu, 08 Jan 2026Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 08 Jan 20262026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 08 Jan 2026World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Wed, 07 Jan 2026Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
Wed, 07 Jan 2026Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
Tue, 06 Jan 2026Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
Tue, 06 Jan 2026