Boxing icon, legendary Manny Pacquiao “PacMan” returns to the ring after a 4-year hiatus. At 46 years of age, the Filipino boxing legend will take on Mario “El Azteca” Barrios, WBC Welterweight champion, on July 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In what will be a clash of generations, the title belt is on the line, with fans in the UK and the rest of the world buzzing.
Pacquiao is up against not just Barrios but Father Time too, since the eight-division world champion is well in his forties. Barrios is the reigning champion, but he isn’t unbeatable, as only 3 of his last 5 bouts were victorious. So, things could get spicy in Vegas, so let’s take a look at what experts think and how the fighters stack up.
Fight Details
- Date: July 19, Saturday
- Start Time: Main Event Ring Walks expected around 4.00 AM BST on Sunday
- Venue: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
- How to Watch: Live on Amazon Prime PPV (UK)
Prepare for a long night of fighting extravaganza. First, UK fans will see Daniel Dubois vs Oleksandr Usyk 2. And then, well into the night, the bout for the WBC Welterweight crown will commence.
Mario Barrios: Fighter Profile
Record: 29-2-1 (18 KOs)
Mario Barrios, or “El Azteca” as he’s known in the boxing world, is the reigning WBC Welterweight Champion. He is a much more physically imposing boxer than Pacquiao, standing at 6’ and having a 71” reach (5.5 and 4 inch advantages, respectively).
The San Antonio native fights from an orthodox stance and is quite aggressive in his approach. Quick hands and a solid jab paved the way for 18 knockouts in 32 total fights, allowing Barrios to accumulate a solid KO% % over his career.
“El Azteca” is quite daring on his feet, not afraid to get close and trade jabs. This aggressive approach has allowed him to become a champion. In 2023, he scored the biggest win of his career by beating Yordenis Ugas (the same guy who upset Pacquiao in 2021) via UD.
As things stand, beating Pacquiao would be a lifetime achievement for the still-hungry American. Becoming a headline star overnight is something every boxer dreams of. If Barrio can pile on the pressure and make PacMan feel the age gap, it’s going to be a long night in the torture chamber for the Filipino. However, his form lately has been unconvincing.
Mario Barrios – Last 5 Fights
| Opponent | Date | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abel Ramos | Nov 15, 2024 | Draw | |
| Fabián Maidana | May 4, 2024 | Win (UD) | |
| Yordenis Ugás | Sep 30, 2023 | Win (UD) | |
| Jovanie Santiago | Feb 11, 2023 | Win (TKO) | |
| Keith Thurman | Feb 5, 2022 | Loss (UD) | |
In his last 6 bouts, Barrios showed huge inconsistencies. “El Azteca” has 3 wins, 2 losses and a draw since February of 2022. In all fairness, he only lost to Gervonta Davis (TKO) and Keith Thurman (UD), both legends of the sport. But the last bout that ended in a draw was against Abel Ramos, an American boxer who doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page…
So, yeah, Pacquiao’s camp is probably right in believing Barrios is one of the more beatable champions.
Manny Pacquiao: Fighter Profile
Record: 62-8-2 (39 KOs)
Now 46 years of age, Manny Pacquiao boasts a fighting legacy worthy of multiple champions. A boxing legend worldwide, PacMan remains the only boxer to have won world titles in eight different weight classes.
Despite the fact that he hasn’t fought professionally since August of 2021, you can never write off a fighter of his calibre. The question is – ‘How much does PacMan still have left in the tank?’. Fighting an opponent with a 4-inch height and reach disadvantage at 46 is a monumental challenge and one, perhaps, that only Pacquiao himself can overcome.
His experience is unparalleled. With 25 title fights under his belt, there’s no pressure on him. Once the bell sounds, thanks to whirlwinds of quick punches and sublime footwork on demand, the multiple-time world champion can change the dynamic of a round in an instant. His camp insists that the Filipino champion is in tremendous shape, coming in to fight Barrios.
If he can tap into that superior ring IQ and overcome a larger opponent with his speed, the 46-year-old could still come out on top. However, the bout should likely go the distance, meaning Pacquiao’s endurance will be pushed to the brink. Let’s see if he can turn back the clock one more time.
Manny Pacquiao – Last 5 Fights
| Opponent | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Yordenis Ugás | Aug 21, 2021 | Loss (UD) |
| Keith Thurman | Jul 20, 2019 | Win (SD) |
| Adrien Broner | Jan 19, 2019 | Win (UD) |
| Lucas Matthysse | Jul 15, 2018 | Win (TKO) |
| Jeff Horn | Jul 2, 2017 | Loss (UD) |
Ever since his loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao has been very good, still, just not as great as before. His record from that moment is 5-2, meaning that the ageing champion is vulnerable. Both of his losses required champion efforts from Jeff Horn and Yordenis Ugas (UD wins), but let’s not forget that Mario Barrios is a champion and could provide one more blow to Pacquiao’s legacy.
Tale of the Tape
| Name | Mario Barrios | Manny Pacquiao |
| Nickname | El Azteca | Boots |
| Age | 30 | 46 |
| Height | 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) | 166 cm (5 ft 5.5 in) |
| Reach | 180 cm (71 in) | 170 cm (67 in) |
| Weight Class | Welterweight (147 lbs) | Welterweight (147 lbs) |
| Stance | Orthodox | Southpaw |
| Professional Record | 32 Fights – 29 Wins – 2 Losses – 1 Draw | 72 Fights – 62 Wins – 8 Losses – 2 Draws |
| KO Ratio | 18 KOs (56%) | 39 KOs (54%) |
| Professional Debut | 2013 | 1995 |
| Last Fight (Activity) | Nov 2024 vs Abel Ramos (D) | Aug 2021 vs Yordenis Ugas (L) |
Key Factors to Watch
Mario Barrios vs Manny Pacquiao is a battle that seems to have everything to become a classic. A champion in his prime is facing an ageing legend who wants one more go at the top. Let’s see the key factors to watch before Jul 19 in Las Vegas
- Pacquiao’s Health – during his fights against Mayweather Jr. and Ugas, the Filipino fighter suffered cramps. Although the athlete claimed to have resolved these issues, it could be a factor in the later rounds.
- Speed vs size – both fighters have a clear edge in their respective categories. Barrios holds clear physical advantages: youth (30), height, and reach (71″ vs Pacquiao’s 67″). However, PacMan can disrupt Barrios’ rhythm with his speed and southpaw angles.
- Tactical execution and striving for perfection – Barrios has been sloppy or underperformed in some high-profile bouts more often than Pacquiao ever did. While the Filipino’s readiness is a huge question mark, it’s up to “El Azteca” to maintain his jab, work the body and keep PacMan within range.
These are the main factors that should decide the outcome of this bout.
Mario Barrios vs Manny Pacquiao: Betting Odds
As always, 7bet UK offers different betting markets and odds for the Barrios vs Pacquiao bout. Here’s a short overview of what picks are available (odds correct as of Jul 16)
Fight Winner
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Mario Barrios | 8/25 |
| Draw | 19/1 |
| Manny Pacquiao | 21/10 |
Experts see the younger Barrios as the strong favourite, with Pacquiao seeing only around 30% of implied probability.
Please note that the odds are accurate as per the publishing time of the article. Make sure to check the latest odds before placing a bet.
Rounds (Total – Over/Under)
| Total | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over 10.5 | 3/4 |
| Under 10.5 | 24/25 |
While books predict an advantage to Barrios, they don‘t see it as a walkover. According to the numbers, it wouldn’t be surprising to see things go the distance.
Method of Victory
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Barrios, Mario by KO | 6/5 |
| Barrios, Mario, by decision | 19/10 |
| Draw | 16/1 |
| Pacquiao, Manny by KO | 13/3 |
| Pacquiao, Manny, by decision | 13/2 |
Just before the fight, most experts see a Mario Barrios KO or decision victory as the most likely outcome. It’s up to his opponent to change that.
How to Watch?
If you want to watch this bout in the UK, you will need to stream the event via Amazon Prime Video PPV. The Pay-Per-View package costs £14.99 and allows full access to both preliminary fights and the main event.
TalkSPORT should provide live radio commentary and coverage via radio.
What’s at Stake?
In all honesty – not that much, but that won’t change the fact that it seems to be a very entertaining evening in Las Vegas.
Barrios has more to achieve and more to lose from this event. With a win over one of all-time legends, “El Azteca” could elevate his status. For Pacquiao, it’s a great way to prove that age is just a number and he’s still the PacMan.
FAQ
How Much Will Barrios and Pacquiao Earn from This Fight?
Reportedly, Mario Barrios will be earning in the low seven-figures (between $1 to $2 million) with likely additional bonuses in case of good PPV sales and his victory, of course.
Pacquiao’s numbers, on the other hand, aren’t disclosed, but he should cash at least $10 million for this comeback.
Why Did Manny Pacquiao Come Back?
With over $550 million in career earnings, it isn’t about the money for the Filipino boxing great, as he so often states. He explicitly claimed that past mistakes need to be corrected. Inspired by the comebacks of other great champions, he’s ready to make a new mark at 46.
Can Manny Pacquiao Really Win?
Yes, despite of what people might think, experts like Bernard Hopkins and Sugar Ray Leonard still back PacMan to come out with a title belt in his hands.
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