Manny Pacquiao’s date with history is upon us.
On Sunday, Manila time, Pacquiao will be taking on Mexico’s Mario Barrios for the latter’s WBC welterweight crown—and should he win, he will become the oldest fighter to get a belt in the 147-pound division (resetting a record he already set in 2019) and second oldest ever to win gold.
Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs), though, might prove to be a big challenge as he’s not only younger, but also taller and fresher. But Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) is an all-time great and has proven doubters wrong many times already in his stellar Hall-of-Fame career.
Now, he’ll try to do it once more, with gold and history on the line. One former foe thinks he’ll succeed, while another believes the Pacman won’t get the job done.
Juan Manuel Marquez Backs Manny Pacquiao
Juan Manuel Marquez, who shared the ring with Manny Pacquiao four times in a generational rivalry, is a Mexican like Mario Barrios. But Dinamita doesn’t think his compatriot will win, mostly because the Pacman has the edge in experience… and power… and speed.
“This fight is dangerous for Manny Pacquiao. Manny Pacquiao is 46 years old,” he told Ryck Esports TV. “But he’s [a] professional, he’s training hard and every day. The most important thing is experience. His power, his speed, and everything. I think Manny Pacquiao is the new world champion.”
Marquez should know. He is intimately familiar with Pacquiao, having fought him four times in what is arguably the best tetralogy in the history of boxing. So, if anyone knows what Pacquiao is capable of, it’s definitely the proud Mexican.
Keith Thurman Sees the New Generation Taking Over
Like Marquez, Keith Thurman has fought Pacquiao, too, but only once—and it happened in 2019 when the Filipino legend was already 40. The artist known as “One Time” was the WBA (Super) Welterweight champion when he fought the Pacman, surviving a first-round knockdown to take Pacquiao the distance. He ultimately fell short, allowing the Fighting Pride of Sarangani to become the oldest welterweight champ at that time.
Six years later, Thurman doesn’t believe Pacquiao will duplicate what he did in 2019.
“I just favor Mario Barrios. I think we’re just in that new generation. That’s a sign, too, it’s almost an omen-type fight. Manny Pacquiao loses to Mario Barrios and we know: Out with the old, complete new generation. We ain’t gonna hear those names no more Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, it’s a done deal,” he told Ryck Esports TV.
Thurman, of course, makes a valid point. Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios is, indeed, a battle of the old and the new. Now, it will be up to the Filipino legend to prove his foe-turned-friend right and his once-rival wrong.
Where to Watch Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios Title Fight
You can catch the Pacquiao-Barrios title tiff either live or on a delayed basis. To watch live, here are your options:
- Prime Video PPV
- PPV on the Pilipinas Live app or the Blast TV app
- Cignal Pay Per View channels 299 on HD and 199 on SD (commercial free)
You can also watch delayed telecasts here:
- RPTV (slightly delayed, 10:00 a.m. start)
- One Sports (slightly delayed, 10:00 a.m. start)
- One Sports+ (slightly delayed, 10:00 a.m. start)
- TV5 (very delayed, 2:15 p.m. start)
