The huge size difference between Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios could be an issue for some fighters, but not for “Pac-Man”.
The pair are facing off on July 19 for the WBC Welterweight title, in Manny Pacquiao’s first fight in four years.
The size difference between the two fighters is staggering. The six foot tall Mario Barrios towers over five foot five and a half inch tall Pacquiao, creating a huge mismatch in the ring.
Most fighters probably wouldn’t take a fight against a vastly taller opponent, due to how important height and weight are in boxing.
However, a height difference has never been something that has bothered Pacquiao in his career.
- READ MORE – Manny Pacquiao fight stats prove how much he’s changed since his prime, which will thrill Mario Barrios
Manny Pacquiao doesn’t rely on size for his style of fighting
While many fighters use the jab to keep their opponents at arm’s length, that has never been Pacquiao’s game.
The eight-weight world champion built his fighting style on getting in and out, fighting aggressively inside, and taking the fight to his opponent.
Pacquiao isn’t the “jab and move” type fighter, and it is unlikely he’ll change that for Barrios. It’s likely he’ll continue fighting on the inside and using intricate combinations to try and take down the WBC Welterweight champion.
However, this does come with some drawbacks. He is now 46 and slowing down, which has taken away some of his otherworldly stamina, which has allowed him to maintain this style of boxing.
Barrios will be able to keep him at a distance using his jab in later rounds, as Pacquiao tires and his speed declines over the rounds.
The in-and-out movement also requires precise timing. One wrong move and “Pac-Man” could be susceptible to counter shots, which could prove disastrous against a world champion like Barrios.
These are all issues which could present themselves, although Pacquiao has shown in the past that the height difference has not been an issue.
Manny Pacquiao has beaten numerous fighters bigger than him before facing Mario Barrios
Pacquiao has fought and defeated plenty of boxers much taller than him throughout his career, en route to his 12 world title reigns.
In fact, some of his best wins came against boxers who were much taller than him in weight classes that many thought he’d never be able to compete in.
In 2008, Pacquiao broke through at Welterweight by ending Oscar De La Hoya’s career, forcing him to retire on his stool after the eighth round. De La Hoya is a full five inches taller than Pacquiao, but his relentless energy was too much for the legendary champion to bear.
One of his best performances ever was at Super Welterweight, when he dominated Antonio Margarito to take home the WBC belt. At five feet 11, Margarito is just one inch shorter than Barrios, and that fight could hint at how their July 19 clash could go.
There is no telling that a 46-year-old, long-retired Pacquiao will just return to the ring and immediately become world champion. However, the difference in height will not be the difference maker in that bout when push comes to shove.