Manny ready for Barrios
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 15 Jul 2025
Manny Pacquiao isn’t leaving anything to chance and with nearly two months of training, said he’s ready for whatever WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios brings into the ring when they clash in a scheduled 12-round bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, on Saturday (Sunday morning, Manila).
Asked what he expects from Barrios in terms of style, Pacquiao said he’s prepared for whatever. “It will depend kung sinong opponent niya, like me,” he said. “I’m ready for pag-maging fighter siya or slugger.” If Barrios sticks and runs, Pacquiao will cut the ring off to pin him down. If Barrios engages, Pacquiao will oblige and mix it up. It won’t matter if Barrios boxes or brawls. Pacquiao is ready for any eventuality.
Pacquiao said it’s difficult to predict if the fight will go the distance or end in a knockout. “If there’s an opportunity na makasilip ng pagkakataon to finish the fight, why not?” he said. “I’m not looking after it basta gawin natin ang magagawa sa taas ng ring. Hindi tayo magaapura kay magiging careless pagdating kung magaapura.”
In a message to his countrymen, Pacquiao said, “sa aking mga kababayan, mga Pilipino, hingi sana ako ng inyong dasal at suporta at magsama-sama tayo … para sa bayan ang laban na ‘to, karangalan natin mga Pilipino … with God’s guidance, we will have success in this fight.”
At the moment, Barrios is the oddsmakers’ bet to win. He’s tagged a -360 favorite, meaning a wager of $360 will earn $100. In contrast, Pacquiao is a +235 underdog, meaning a $100 bet will cash in $235. Pacquiao is used to defying the odds. Against Oscar de la Hoya, Pacquiao was a +160 underdog but scored a convincing win as the Golden Boy surrendered on his stool before the start of the ninth round in 2008.
Barrios, 30, has age on his side. Pacquiao, 46, will lean on experience. Barrios’ trainer Bob Santos is on his second tour of duty with the man called El Azteca. They worked together in 2016 then Barrios hired Virgil Hunter as trainer. Andre Ward was another trainer whom he worked with. After losing to Keith Thurman in 2022, Barrios rehired Santos. Barrios’ older sister Selina is also his trainer. They started boxing at an early age on the prodding of their mother to find a way out of poverty. Selina boxed as a lightweight and superlightweight from 2017 to 2019, compiling a 6-1 record with three KOs. Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach has been in his corner since winning the IBF superbantamweight title in 2001.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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