Manny Pacquiao faces a massive return to boxing this weekend against Mario Barrios, but he’s primed to win gold again, according to a current megastar.
Snapping his four-year retirement in Las Vegas this weekend, Pacquiao will challenge for WBC welterweight spoils against Texan star, Barrios.
And sidelined since a loss to common foe Yordenis Ugas back in 2021, Pacquiao enters his clash with Barrios on the back foot amid a period of lengthy inactivity.
But as far as a current pound-for-pound ace is concerned, Pacquiao should prevail with a win over Barrios.
Terence Crawford picks Manny Pacquiao to beat Mario Barrios in ‘Sin City’
Himself gearing up for his blockbuster return, Terence Crawford will fight Canelo Alvarez in a huge showcase in September in a move to the super middleweight limit.
But as far as he’s concerned, despite numerous naysayers of his return, Pacquiao can — and will prevail against Barrios this weekend.
“I got him (Manny Pacquiao) winning [against Mario Barrios], I got him winning,” Crawford told Seconds Out.
Namely, Crawford thinks the power advantage leans toward Pacquiao, who will also use his “experience” in the ring to his advantage.
“I just think the experience, you know, the power, is gonna take him to a victory,” Crawford explained.
And while a title victory in his return against Barrios would be spectacular, don’t expect Pacquiao to find himself up against a particular welterweight kingpin next.
Jaron Ennis ruled from Manny Pacquiao title clash by Eddie Hearn
And while Crawford is confident of a Pacquiao win, Matchroom Boxing leader Eddie Hearn is less than confident.
With his return on the horizon, fans have already suggested a dream pairing of Pacquiao and WBA kingpin, Jaron Ennis, but Hearn doesn’t see that fight as a realistic option.
“I mean, one, he (Pacquiao) won’t beat Barrios,” Hearn told Boxing Scene. “And two, I’m not gonna stand here with my righteous hat on and say it’s an absolute disgrace that Pacquiao’s fighting.
“But I just can’t believe you can just literally disappear from boxing for five years, be 46 years old, and be – I think ‘shot’ is disrespectful, but by no means a fighter you were – and just phone up the governing body and go, ‘Stick me in at number five mate.’”