Manny Pacquiao Gearing Up for Barrios

With less than a month to go, the preparation is underway as Hall of Famer, eight division world champion, and Filipino icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KO’s) gears up for his return to the ring as he takes on WBC welterweight champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KO’s) of San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, July 19 in headlining the PBC on Prime Video PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“We are working hard in this camp for his style and I am ready for this fight on July 19,” Manny Pacquiao told Fightnews.com “I’m enjoying this training camp. We did everything like before, I’m still doing the same thing,” Pacquiao added.

Returning stateside following his semi-retirement, Pacquiao is joined once again by long-time trainers Buboy Fernandez and Freddie Roach. Hooking for the first time in the Summer of 2001, it’s been 24 years since Pacquiao first walked into the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California.

“I think the difference this time is that there are a couple of adjustments for back recovery. It’s not like before when you're young, you can recover overnight,” Pacquiao said, smirking away. “I want to be able to raise my own chair,”

Pacquiao and Roach originally joined forces just weeks before their first championship fight together against Lehlo Ledwaba. The unknown Filipino former WBC flyweight champion stepped in to replace Mexico’s Enrique Sanchez, as the original matchup between Sanchez and Ledwaba was scheduled to open the Oscar De La Hoya vs. Javier Castillejo pay per view card.

“That’s when it all began for me,” Pacquiao said.

Scoring a sixth round stoppage, Pacquiao made a splash in annihilating Ledwaba to capture the IBF super bantamweight title and the rest is history.

Winning multiple world titles in different weight classes with wins over Mexican legends Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao also added world champions Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, and Timothy Bradley Jr. to the list.

“When it’s all said and done, the fans will determine my greatness,” Pacquiao on his legacy.

This time both Pacquiao and Roach now share the distinction and honors as Hall of Famers. Just a few weeks ago Pacquiao was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York as Roach was inducted back in 2012.

“It’s an honor to be in the Boxing Hall of Fame,”

Now the two Hall Famers and team prepare for the next chapter in their career.

“During this training camp, they are not pushing me but they are watching me. Sometimes when I train they will tell me it's too much but I want to keep going,” Pacquiao said. “My team and coaches really watch me to make sure I don't overtrain. You control your body sometimes and you have to give your body rest,”

The 46 year-old Pacquiao was last in the ring 4 years ago, dropping a decision to Yordanis Ugas and announced his retirement following his defeat at the post fight press conference. Making his return to take on the 30 year-old Barrios, as the champ is coming off a draw to Abel Ramos last November. Barrios picked up the WBC title with a unanimous decision over Pacquiao’s last conqueror Yordanis Ugas in 2023.

“He is a champion, we can't underestimate him,” Pacquiao said about Barrios.

There is the question if Pacquiao still has the same hunger and desire. At this point does he still belong in the ring?

“The danger is when you get lazy, you're not 100 percent ready for a fight. Even if you're 46 years old and if you're 100 percent conditioned you will be ready. Sometimes fighters come back and they are like 60 percent conditioned,” Pacquiao stated. “I don't want that, I want to be at 100 percent for the fight,” Pacquiao added.

Following his media day, I asked Manny if the fire and intensity was still there as he replied, “Of course, 100 percent,”

Only time will tell. We shall see.

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