Manny Pacquiao will fight Mario Barrios for the WBC world welterweight championship on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Juan Manuel Marquez, who fought Pacquiao four times, has weighed in on the bout's outcome.
Pacquiao, now 46, returns to the ring after losing his last fight against Yordenis Ugas in the summer of 2021. The Filipino legend, known as "PacMan," lost his WBA world welterweight title in that bout. Despite his age, Pacquiao's reputation as an eight-division world champion and one of the best fighters in his prime precedes him.
Marquez, who knows Pacquiao well from their four encounters, shared his thoughts with ESNEWS. He sees the fight as risky for Pacquiao but believes the veteran will come out on top.
"Good luck for both fighters, I don't know, this fight is dangerous for Manny Pacquiao. Manny Pacquiao is 46-years-old but he's professional, he's training hard every day. Let me tell you something, I think Manny Pacquiao is the new world champion, I think so … The most important thing is experience, experience is everything, his power, his speed and everything, I think Manny Pacquiao is the new world champion."
Marquez bases his prediction on Pacquiao's professionalism, hard training, experience, power, and speed. The Mexican fighter's insight carries weight, given his extensive history with Pacquiao. Their four-fight series saw Pacquiao win twice, Marquez once, with one draw.
If Pacquiao wins, he'll break his own record. Six years ago, he became the oldest world welterweight champion in boxing history by defeating Keith Thurman for the WBA title. A victory over Barrios will push that record even further.
Barrios, the current WBC world welterweight champion, will look to upset Pacquiao's comeback plans. The fight promises to be an exciting clash between youth and experience, with both fighters hungry for victory.
