Manny Pacquiao is getting ready to step back into the ring. The 46-year-old boxing legend will face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao hasn't fought in nearly four years. His last bout ended in a defeat against Yordenis Ugas in 2021. Now, the eight-division world champion is older than George Foreman was when he won the heavyweight title in 1994.
Despite the long break, Pacquiao looks to be in excellent shape. He's confident about his return, saying, "Even with my layoff, my passion is still there. I want to give the fans what they want. I'm always bringing surprises."
Barrios, the 29-year-old current champion, isn't taking this fight lightly. He's got an impressive record and has beaten Yordenis Ugas, the last man to defeat Pacquiao. Barrios also has physical advantages, with a four-inch reach and more than six-inch height edge over Pacquiao.
"Hats off to Pacquiao for daring to be great. But it's my time now. I'm not looking for the knockout, but I'm coming in with bad intentions," Barrios said.
The odds favor Barrios at -275, while Pacquiao is the underdog at +210. But Pacquiao isn't bothered by this. "I'm OK being the underdog. I've been the underdog many times," he stated.
Many experts are predicting a Barrios victory, possibly by TKO in the eighth round. They point to Pacquiao's age, long layoff, and signs of decline in his last fight.
The main question on everyone's mind is whether we'll see 'the old Pacquiao,' or simply an older version of the boxing legend. Can Pacquiao overcome Barrios' physical advantages and shake off the rust from his long break?
"We're going to show the world that boxing is still alive. Manny Pacquiao is still here," the Filipino icon declared.
The undercard features some exciting matchups too. Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu will have a rematch for the WBC and WBO junior middleweight titles. Their previous fight was a brutal, blood-soaked affair that ended in a split decision for Fundora.
Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz dominated Omar Salcido for a win, while Brandon Figueroa claimed victory in a tough fight against Joet González. Gary Russell Jr. also won his bout, knocking down Hugo Castañeda multiple times.
The MGM Grand Garden Arena, where Pacquiao forged his legend, will once again host this iconic fighter. Whether he can add another chapter to his storied career remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure - boxing fans are in for an exciting night.
