There has been a mixed reception in the boxing world to Manny Pacquiao’s return to the sport at the age of 46.
Taking on WBC World Welterweight champion Mario Barrios, Pacquiao will look to regain his champion status on July 19th.
Pacquiao’s last professional outing was a loss to Yordenis Ugas in 2021, while Barrios drew with Abel Ramos, meaning neither man is going into the bout off a win.
In terms of why Pacquiao chose Barrios as his comeback opponent, the ‘Pac-Man’ feels that he and the champion can put on a good fight for the fans. However, one former champion is thankful Pacquiao did not face a certain competitor.
Shawn Porter would have been worried for Manny Pacquiao facing Jaron Ennis
In an interview with the Ring Magazine, former champion Shawn Porter was asked for his opinion on Pacquiao’s comeback fight.
Porter said that he ‘understands’ and ‘appreciates’ Pacquiao’s comeback, but would not do the same thing himself. The former champion then added, “I think he’s going to be alright.”
The interviewer then said to Porter, “You’d probably be a lot more worried if he was getting in the ring with Boots [Jaron Ennis].” Porter replied by saying, “That’s the name I thought of… 100%, I’d be worried.”
Not taking away from Barrios, Porter said, “There’s no knock on Mario Barrios. Barrios is good, Barrios is a very solid boxer, but ‘Boots’ is just such a puzzle. That ain’t the puzzle I want to see Manny Pacquiao in the ring with.”
‘Boots’ currently has a 34-0 record, with 30 of those wins coming by way of knockout.
Porter himself retired at the age of 34 after being stopped by Terence Crawford in round 10 in November 2021.
Who could Manny Pacquiao have fought in his comeback?
Pacquiao’s comeback against Barrios came as a surprise to many, given his four-year absence from the sport. However, there were likely no shortage of potential suitors for his comeback.
If welterweight gold was the aim for Pacquiao, then Barrios and ‘Boots’ Ennis were two of the three options. As Ennis holds both the IBF and WBA titles, there are only three champions in the division.
The third champion at welterweight is Brian Norman Jr. (27-0).
Pacquiao also could have followed the path that fellow former world champions Mike Tyson and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. took, facing Jake Paul (11-1).