Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino boxing legend and International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, steps into the ring this Saturday for a high-stakes comeback fight against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. At 46, Pacquiao aims to reclaim glory in a sport he once dominated, while Barrios seeks to defend his title and solidify his legacy.
The bout marks Pacquiao's first since his 2021 loss to Yordenis Ugas, with fans questioning whether the eight-division champion can still compete at elite levels. 'I'm going to prove to everyone that I'm in great condition,' Pacquiao declared, emphasizing his unchanged training discipline despite a four-year competitive hiatus.
Barrios, 30, enters as the -275 favorite but faces pressure to rebound from last November's draw against Abel Ramos. 'Manny is one of a kind,' the San Antonio native acknowledged, while vowing to 'show why I'm going to continue to be the champion.'
In a rare display of sportsmanship, both fighters shared laughs during Wednesday's press conference face-off, though Barrios warned: 'Don't read too much into the mutual respect.' The co-main event features Sebastian Fundora vs. Tim Tszyu in a super welterweight rematch following their controversial March 2024 split decision.
As fight night approaches, the boxing world watches to see whether Pacquiao's legendary speed and footwork can overcome Barrios' youth and reach advantage — a clash of generations with implications for Asia's sporting legacy.
