Manny Pacquiao is not quite done with boxing yet, as he hopes to pick up another world title against Mario Barrios on July 19th.
Manny Pacquiao will be 46 years old when he faces Mario Barrios, who was born after Pacquiao turned pro.
The Filipino star has never been one to avoid a challenge and has been a fan favorite ever since Pac-Man’s win over Marco Antonio Barrera.
It was almost 20 years ago, now, on this day, that Pacquiao made history with a brutal knockout over a 34-1 opponent.
Manny Pacquiao stunned David Diaz to win in fourth weight class
In 2008, 46-3-2 Pacquiao faced 34-1-1 David Diaz in a bid to snatch Diaz’s WBC lightweight title.
Pacquiao beat Juan Manuel Marquez via split decision in his previous fight to claim the WBC super-featherweight crown.
From the first bell, Pacquiao’s speed impressed onlookers, letting off multi-punch combinations on Diaz. After a few rounds, Diaz was not only fighting Pacquiao, but fighting to see as a cut over his eye turned the match into a bloody affair.
After picking up round after round, Pacquiao closed the show in the ninth, slumping Diaz to the canvas with a stunning jab-left-hand combo that Diaz never saw coming.
With the win, Pacquiao, who controversially lost to Tim Bradley, became the first and only Asian fighter to win titles in four weight classes.
Manny Pacquiao hopes to break his own record on July 19th
Pacquiao does not have age on his side as he gears up for Barrios, who defeated Yordenis Ugas, next.
Ugas beat Pacquiao in 2021, in the legend’s first attempt at a boxing comeback.
Pacquiao’s last win came six years ago, against Keith Thurman, when he became the oldest welterweight champion ever at the age of 40.
A win over Barrios would break his own record, and pushing up the record by six whole years.
Many don’t believe he will be able to pull off a win, especially after witnessing Pacquiao’s training footage, which garnered a mixed reception.