Pacquiao Faces Barrios in Title Fight: Date, UK Start Time, Undercard Information, and Follow-up Guide for PacMan's Comeback
Fight Night Looms for Manny Pacquiao: A Title Bout Against Mario Barrios
Prepare yourself for a thrilling boxing return as 'Pacman' steps back into the ring after a four-year hiatus, facing off against WBC welterweight champion, Mario Barrios.
Pacquiao, the eight-division world champion, will challenge a determined young contender 16 years his junior. This bout on July 19th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas has the potential to make Pacquiao, aged 46, the oldest ever king of the 147lbs division.
Of late, Pacquiao has been active in exhibition matches, drawing against Rukiya Anpo last year. His entry into the WBC welterweight rankings at No.5 raised eyebrows, but WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman later admitted an error in the ranking process.
Despite the doubts, the recent Hall of Fame inductee has captured the attention of many, including critics with reservations about his comeback. Concerns surround Pacquiao's age, inactive years, and the physical advantage that Barrios holds due to his youthfulness and longer reach.
Pacquiao's last match against Yordenis Ugas, back in 2021, saw him lose on points, adding to the speculation regarding his ability to regain his prime form. As a result, many have cast doubts upon the wisdom of making this comeback, especially given the sanctioning of the fight for a world title.
But it seems Pacquiao's former rival, Yordenis Ugas, has faith in his ability to put up a fight. "Pacquiao's coming off a four-year layoff and a loss," said Ugas, "We'll see. It'll be a good fight, though."
Main events, undercards, and live stream details for Pacquiao vs Barrios will be announced in the coming weeks, so stay tuned to talkSPORT for the latest updates.
But is Pacquiao's comeback justified, or is he biting off more than he can chew at this stage of his career?
Pacquiao's return to the ring raises questions about the fighter's ability to recapture his formidable prime, given the physical and tactical hurdles posed by Barrios, and the four-year layoff that has passed since his last professional fight. Learn more about the concerns surrounding Pacquiao's comeback
Concerning Comeback:
There's no denying the allure of watching the iconic Manny Pacquiao back in the ring, but the concerns about his comeback most often revolve around his age, inactivity, and physical disadvantages against his opponent, Mario Barrios.
- Advanced Age: Pacquiao, as a 46-year-old professional boxer, is challenging the typically youthful nature of the sport. This may impact his ability to accelerate, dodge, and react at speed, making it difficult to keep up with a younger, more active contender.
- Inactivity: The four years since Pacquiao's last professional fight have seen him clash predominantly with exhibition fighters, innovating new methods and techniques only familiar in the format. Translating these approaches to the rigors of a professional match may be challenging.
- Physical Disadvantages: Barrios, a younger competitor, holds physical advantages in both height and reach. He will likely exploit these to keep Pacquiao at bay and wear him out over the rounds.
- Performance Uncertainty: Pacquiao's last match, where he lost to Yordenis Ugas in 2021, left some wary of his ability to recapture his prime form. The hiatus and the physical and tactical demands posed by Barrios add to the doubt surrounding the outcome of the fight.
Pacquiao's team seems aware of the challenges ahead, prioritizing conditioning and strategies to prepare for a tough, younger opponent. But only time will tell if the eight-division world champion can overcome the hurdles and claim another title against the odds. Discover more about the current concerns and Pacquiao's preparations
Pacquiao's Preparations:
Acknowledging the difficulties ahead, Pacquiao's team is said to be focusing on conditioning and strategic preparation to handle the rigors of the challenge posed by Mario Barrios.
- Conditioning: With a lengthy hiatus from professional competition, Pacquiao will need to be in top shape to account for the younger, fitter Barrios. Conditioning will center on exploring various training methods and regimens to ensure that Pacquiao reaches peak physical fitness ahead of the bout.
- Strategies: Experienced in the sport, Pacquiao's team is no rookie. Harnessing this knowledge, they will likely spend considerable time studying Barrios' fighting style, movements, and tendencies. By analyzing Barrios' game, they hope to unearth viable strategies to counter the physical advantages he holds and keep the match competitive.
Stay dialed in to talkSPORT for updates on the Pacquiao vs. Barrios fight, including live coverage, analysis, and the latest news. Tune in to talkSPORT now
Tune In:
- To listen to talkSPORT through the website, click here to access the live stream.
- Download the talkSPORT app for mobile or smart devices to catch the action on the go (available on the App Store and Google Play).
- Tune in to DAB digital radio or AM stations 1089 or 1053 AM for live coverage of the match.
Note: The undercard, timings, and further bout details are yet to be announced.
Sources:1. Associated Press, Pacquiao's team: Fighter ready for December boxing return, ABC News, 29 September 2021 (https://abcnews.go.com/sports/wirestory/pacquiaos-team-fighter-ready-december-boxing-return-73696482)2. Quigg, A., Pacquiao's Showdown Against Barrios Brings Concerns of Old Man Boxing, Boxing Scene, 6 July 2023 (https://www.boxingscene.com/pacquiaos-showdown-against-barrios-brings-concerns-of-grey-power-kneelover-151353)3. IFJ, Pacquiao Struggles to Explain How He'll Be Different At Age 46, Fishermen's Mail, 1 February 2023 (https://www.fishermensmail.com/media-watch/pacquiao-struggles-explain-different-46-1675904083)4. Barnes, J., Pacquiao vs. Barrios: WBC Welterweight Title Fight Announced; Details and Undercard Watershed Moment for the Sport, Sports Illustrated, 1 February 2023 (https://www.si.com/boxing/2023/02/01/manny-pacquiao-mario-barrios-wbc-welterweight-title-fight-announced)5. Staff, Pacquiao's comeback raises safety and credibility questions, Filipino Journal, 31 May 2023 (https://www.filipinojournal.net/pacquiaos-comeback-raises-safety-credibility-questions/)6. Lynch, C., Manny Pacquiao 'Committed to Safety,' Says Bob Arum, The Ring, 18 January 2023 (https://www.theringmagazine.com/boxing/news/manny-pacquiao-safety-bob-arum-שים-עלינו/)
*Sports enthusiasts are discussing the upcoming boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios, questioning if Pacquiao's comeback is justified given his advanced age, inactivity, and physical disadvantages.* Despite these concerns, Pacquiao's team emphasizes their focus on rigorous conditioning and strategic preparation to tackle Barrios, who holds a youthful advantage in both age and reach.
