Mario Barrios will welcome Manny Pacquiao back to the sport of boxing on July 19th as he aims to defend his WBC World Welterweight title.
Pacquiao will have his sights on once again becoming a world champion as he competes as a professional boxer for the first time in four years. However, Pacquiao did compete in an exhibition match in 2024.
As for Barrios, he will look to retain his title against one of boxing’s biggest icons as he aims to improve his current 29-2-1 record.
Despite Barrios going into the title defense as a sizable favorite, the champion has said he feels ‘disrespected’ ahead of the bout.
Mario Barrios speaks ahead of Manny Pacquiao challenge
Speaking to former world champion Shawn Porter for Main Event, former Gervonta Davis opponent Barrios previewed his upcoming fight with ‘Pac-Man’.
When asked by Porter what ‘people are missing about him’, Barrios said that he feels a lot of people underestimate his boxing ability.
Despite feeling ‘overlooked’, Barrios said, “These are the type of fights to bring that [my skills] out in,” regarding his fight with Pacquiao.
Barrios then admitted that Pacquiao has the experience on him going into the fight, but feels he is “more than ready” to take on a challenge from the 46-year-old.
Porter then asked Barrios, “Do you feel any disrespect at what’s been said?” ahead of the fight with Pacquiao. Barrios responded by saying, “Yeah, a little bit. I feel that comes with every fight, though. Every fight there’s going to be chirping, or there’s going to be talking. People are going to be doubting you.”
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Mario Barrios on the benefits of beating Manny Pacquiao
As well as earning another defense of his world title, Barrios was asked by Porter what the benefits to beating a returning Pacquiao were.
“Being able to have that kind of experience to be in there with such a fighter,” Barrios said. “I think Pacquiao is one of those [fighters] that has a style you just can’t mimic.”
Barrios then added that he wasn’t the one who pursued the fight with Pacquiao. The welterweight champion said that his team was approached by Pacquiao’s team to begin fight negotiations.
Despite the admiration Barrios has for Pacquiao, he said he is still going into the fight with ‘bad intentions’.