Manny Pacquiao, Mario Barrios talk bout at pre-fight press conference
Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios answer questions just days away from their main event at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
Manny Pacquiao will step into the ring against Mario Barrios, the reigning WBC welterweight champion, with a chance to make history.
He can become the first boxer to win a world title after being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
It won’t be easy. At all. On Saturday, July 19, these are the key challenges he’ll face:
Pacquiao is 46. Barrios is 30. Pacquiao is 5-foot-5½. Barrios is 6-foot.
Pacquiao has not fought professionally since 2021, when he lost to Yordenis Ugas by unanimous decision. During Pacquiao’s layoff, Barrios has fought five times.
In his prime, Pacquiao would be a heavy favorite against Barrios. Can Pacquiao conjure up the magic he showed many years ago? The answer likely will determine the winner of this bout.
USA TODAY Sports has you covered with updates, analysis and highlights from the Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios card here:
Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios: Time, PPV, streaming for fight
Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios on Saturday, July 19, at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
- Date: Saturday, July 19
- Time:Â 8 p.m. ET
- Pacquiao vs Barrios main event ringwalks: 11 p.m. ET
- Stream:Â Prime Video PPV
Watch Pacquiao v Barrios with Prime Video PPV
Main card
- Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios;Â WBC welterweight title
- Sebastian Fundora vs Tim Tszyu;Â WBC super welterweight title
- Isaac Cruz vs Angel Fierro;Â Super lightweight
- Brandon Figueroa vs Joet Gonzalez;Â Featherweight
- Gary Russell Jr vs Hugo Castaneda;Â Super featherweight
All odds are for moneyline bets as of Thursday, via BetMGM
- Manny Pacquiao (+270) vs. Mario Barrios (-380):Â WBC welterweight title
- Sebastian Fundora (+125) vs. Tim Tszyu (-165):Â WBC super welterweight title
- Isaac Cruz (-600) vs. Angel Fierro (+350):Â Super lightweight
- Brandon Figueroa (-250) vs. Joet Gonzalez (+175):Â Featherweight
- Gary Russell Jr. (-1600) vs. Hugo Castaneda (+650):Â Super featherweight
Josh Peter, USA TODAY: Barrios by TKO in the 10th
Peter writes, “Mario Barrios is the ideal opponent for Manny Pacquiao because Barrios’ aggressive style and flawed defense make him vulnerable to Pacquiao’s creative combinations. Perhaps. But that minimizes other important issues. At 6-0, Barrios will be the tallest opponent the 5 ½ foot Pacquiao has ever faced. Pacquiao has not fought professionally in almost four years. Furthermore, Barrios is 30 and Pacquiao is 46. It’d be great to have the Pac-Man back for more than one fight, but don’t count on it.”
Brent Brookhouse, CBS Sports: Barrios by KO
Brookhouse writes, “We’re talking about a 46-year-old man who is returning from years of being retired and who was on the downside of his career when he hung up his gloves the first time. Pacquiao looks to be in great shape, but translating that to success against a younger, bigger fighter who has been active in big fights is simply too big of an ask. Expect Pacquiao to show a few flashes early before Barrios gets rolling. Once Barrios is doing his thing, there’s going to be a time when Pacquiao either gets stopped or his team will need to stop the fight for him.”
Anatoly Pimentel, BetMGM: Pacquiao by unanimous decision
Pimentel writes, “I expect Pacquiao to go all out in the first six rounds of the match because this is what he did against Thurman before, scoring an early knockdown. That knockdown became crucial in the judges’ scorecards, which helped him secure the split decision win. As for Barrios, he should weather the early barrage from Pacquiao and turn it up in the tail end of the fight, where Pacquiao would be more vulnerable to counter punches and power shots. Additionally, he should fully utilize his height and reach advantages to keep the challenger at bay while landing his punches and combinations.”
