Manny Pacquiao steps back into the ring to take on Mario Barrios in a world title fight on July 19.
The eight-weight world champion hasn’t fought since Yordennis Ugas beat Manny Pacquiao four years ago, but he’s making his comeback in a surprise world title fight.
A WBC rule means that Pac-Man is able to challenge Mario Barrios for his WBC Welterweight title, despite his lack of action in recent years.
Meanwhile, the undercard features two huge rematches that fans will be delighted to see. Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu run back their incredible war from 2024, with fans hoping to see another epic bloody battle on July 19.
Additionally, Isaac Cruz vs Angel Fierro 2 will hope to recreate their slugfest from February in what will prove to be one of the most exciting fights on the card.
Ahead of Pacquiao vs Barrios, the experts at Bloody Knockout have made their predictions about who will win the top three fights on the card as they prepare for an exciting evening of boxing.
- READ MORE – Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios full card including PacMan’s return and a Super Welterweight title fight
Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios prediction
- Ross Markey – Manny Pacquiao
- Harvey Burton – Mario Barrios
- James Sweetnam – Mario Barrios
The Bloody Knockout experts are split on the main event, unable to agree on whether Pacquiao or Barrios will walk out as the WBC Welterweight champion.
Ross thinks that the eight-weight world champion has enough left in the tank to beat Barrios in his comeback fight, four years after Pacquiao retired after a devastating defeat.
He has the ring IQ and the experience to beat his younger opponent, and Pacquiao has beaten taller fighters in the past, but at his age, it may be a fight too far for “Pac-Man”.
That is what Harvey and James think, as they are backing the six-foot-tall challenger to beat Pacquiao in this title fight.
Pacquiao is 46 years old, and his recent fight stats show he is well past his prime. Barrios is a defending champion at his peak and should have more than enough about him to put away Pacquiao and potentially retire him for good.
Considering Barrios wasn’t born when Pacquiao made his boxing debut, the age difference should be a big factor in this bout.
Sebastian Fundora vs Tim Tszyu prediction
- Ross Markey – Sebastian Fundora
- Harvey Burton – Tim Tszyu
- James Sweetnam – Tim Tszyu
Ross is once again the standout, backing the six-foot-six Fundora to pick up back-to-back wins over Tszyu to retain his Super Welterweight title.
He won their fight via judges’ decision last year, and he has seen nothing from the gigantic Super Welterweight’s opponent to think this fight will go any differently, although it is almost certain to feature less blood.
However, Harvey and James are backing Tszyu to avenge his defeat and take the fight to the champion. The Australian bounced back from another defeat following the Fundora loss to win the WBO Intercontinental Super Welterweight title.
The fact of the nine-inch height difference between the two is of no consequence to the experts, as they saw the damage Tszyu did in the last bout. He has every chance of picking up the win in what should be a fantastic bout to watch.
Isaac Cruz vs Angel Fierro prediction
- Ross Markey – Isaac Cruz
- Harvey Burton – Isaac Cruz
- James Sweetnam – Isaac Cruz
In the second rematch on the card, Isaac Cruz battles Angel Fierro just months after their dramatic slugfest in Las Vegas.
The pair battled in an all-out war in February, where “Pitbull” bested Fierro with a unanimous decision victory in one of the best fights of that night.
The rematch comes despite the decisive victory, and the experts expect to see another victory for Cruz against his opponent.
All three are in agreement that “Pitbull” will leave as the winner, much in the same way he did in the first bout.