The return of Manny Pacquiao has been one of the most talked-about fights of the year, as ‘Pac-Man’ is aiming to defy the odds.
When Pacquiao, 46, takes on welterweight champion Mario Barrios, he will be 16 years older than the title holder.
Their fight will take place in Las Vegas on July 19th, with Barrios aiming to get his second title defense. As for Pacquiao, he will aim to become one of boxing’s oldest champions.
Pacquiao will end a four-year hiatus from professional boxing when he returns in July, with his last time in a boxing ring coming in an exhibition match in 2024.
In terms of predictions for the fight, the WBC World Welterweight title bout has divided opinions as Barrios and Pacquiao headline a stacked card. However, one former champion feels their show may be stolen by an undercard fight.
Robert Garcia names undercard fight that could steal the show from Pacquiao and Barrios
Former world super featherweight champion and current boxing coach Robert Garcia spoke to ES News about the upcoming event headlined by Barrios and Pacquiao.
‘Grampa’ Garcia was asked if the undercard bout between Isaac Cruz and Angel Fierro could steal the show from the welterweight headliners.
The former world champion responded, “The card is ——- full of nice fights. The whole card is bad—.”
Adding to his comments, Garcia said that the pay-per-view opener between Brandon Figueroa and Joet Gonzalez ‘might steal the show’ from the title fight.
Figueroa (25-2-1) and Gonzalez (27-4) will compete in a 10-round featherweight fight on the undercard of the event, as the fighters have a combined 34 wins by knockout.
Mario Barrios vs Manny Pacquiao main card to feature four fights
As things stand, there have been four fights officially announced for the Barrios vs Pacquiao pay-per-view.
The event will be headlined by Barrios and Pacquiao, who will be one of two world title fights on the card.
The co-main event will see Sebastian Fundora (22-1-1) aim to defend his WBC World Super Welterweight title against Tim Tszyu (25-2) in a rematch. The pair first fought in March 2024, as Fundora won via split decision.
Isaac Cruz (27-3-1) and Angel Fierro (23-3-2) will also compete in a 12-round rematch. The pair fought in February as Cruz was the winner via unanimous decision.
The opening bout of the pay-per-view will be the aforementioned Figueroa vs Gonzalez.