Pacquiao vs Barrios: Factors of consequence
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 20 Jul 2025
Manny Pacquiao climbs back into the ring after a four-year layoff in a bid to become the first active International Boxing Hall of Famer to win a world title but WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios stands in the way of achieving the feat. The moment of truth happens at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, this morning (Manila time) with Pacquiao a 3-2 underdog against an opponent who wasn’t even born when the Filipino ring icon turned pro in 1995.
Here’s how the protagonists size up in 10 factors of consequence.
• Firepower. Both fighters’ KO rate is identical, 62 percent. Barrios has chalked up 18 KOs in 29 wins while Pacquiao, 39 in 62. Pacquiao’s one-punch KO power was evident in his demolition of Ricky Hatton. Twice, Barrios decked Yordenis Ugas, the last man to beat Pacquiao. Advantage: Even.
• Speed. Pacquiao is quicker with hands and feet. Barrios is slow and flat-footed. Age is supposed to slow down a fighter. Pacquiao is 46 and Barrios, 30. Throughout his camp, Pacquiao displayed the speed that was a trademark in winning his toughest fights. Advantage: Pacquiao.
• Endurance. When Pacquiao was 40, he was stronger at the finish line than Keith Thurman. Strength/conditioning coach Justin Fortune said Pacquiao is ready to go 12 rounds. Age, however, may be a factor and Barrios’ gas might be a little more in the tank down the stretch. Advantage: Barrios.
• Ability to take a punch. Pacquiao has been stopped thrice. Barrios was floored in his last fight by Abel Ramos and halted by Tank Davis, a southpaw like Pacquiao, after going down twice. Advantage: Pacquiao.
• Defense. Barrios likes to engage and his devil-may-care style could be his undoing. He has suffered cuts near his left eye in three outings, twice due to a punch. His right eye was badly swollen in the Fabian Maidana fight and his nose was busted by Ramos. Advantage: Pacquiao.
• Wear and tear. Barrios has logged 32 fights and Pacquiao, 72. El Azteca made his pro debut in 2013 when Pacquiao had already figured in 62 fights. Advantage: Barrios.
• Quality of opposition. They’ve faced two common opponents, Thurman and Ugas. Pacquiao beat Thurman and lost to Ugas while Barrios beat Ugas and lost to Thurman. Pacquiao has beaten some of the best in the business like De la Hoya, Cotto, Marquez, Morales, Barrera and Mosley. Barrios has never faced a Hall of Famer. Advantage: Pacquiao.
• Height and length. Barrios stands anywhere between 5-9 1/2 and 6-0 with a 71-inch wingspan. Pacquiao is 5-5 1/2 with a 67-inch reach. If Barrios is able to keep Pacquiao at bay with his length, it will be a huge edge. Pacquiao, however, isn’t fazed by bigger opponents and showed it against Antonio Margarito. Advantage: Barrios.
• Experience. Pacquiao is used to the bright lights of Las Vegas. Barrios is relatively new to the hype. In pressure situations, experience will play a key role. Advantage: Pacquiao.
• Ring generalship. How to control the action in the ring requires a high sense of boxing IQ. Pacquiao knows when to close in, when to move and how to create angles. Spacing is critical. Pacquiao’s ability to break down an opponent is both an art and science. Advantage: Pacquiao.
If it ends early, Pacquiao will win. If it goes the distance, the outcome will depend on who is fresher in the championship rounds.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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