Manny Pacquiao is getting ready to step back into the ring at 46 years old. The Filipino boxing legend will face Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title this weekend at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao hasn't won a fight in nearly six years. His last victory came against Keith Thurman in July 2019. Since then, he lost to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021 and stepped away from the sport.
Keith Thurman, who's fought both Pacquiao and Barrios, shared his thoughts on the upcoming bout. He described Pacquiao's punches as surprisingly heavy.
"Pacquiao's hands just felt heavy, after the fight I constantly was thinking 'Why did his fists feel like a rock?', it was like awkward right? I was like 'Why did his fists feel so hard?'"
Thurman compared Pacquiao's power to "a little brick." This description echoes comments made by Floyd Mayweather after their 2015 fight.
In contrast, Thurman downplayed Barrios' power when they fought in February 2022. After winning that bout by unanimous decision, Thurman said:
"Somebody lands a good shot, they land a good shot and body shots are just different, but it is interesting if I breathe deeply I still kinda just feel awkward in the body region, like I said I felt tenderness before I was even touched tonight so that one shot definitely awakened a little sensation of discomfort and pain but it wasn't the hardest I've ever been hit."
Pacquiao's return has generated a lot of interest in the boxing world. Fans wonder if the former eight-division world champion can recapture his past glory against a younger opponent.
Barrios will try to use his youth and size advantage to overcome Pacquiao's experience and legendary power. The fight promises to be an interesting clash of styles and generations.
As fight night approaches, all eyes will be on Pacquiao to see if he can turn back the clock one more time. Will his fists still feel like "little bricks" to Barrios? We'll find out soon enough.
