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NyemNTAWM NO to WatchGloves Off: Pacquiao vs. Neighborhoods
LAS VEGAS – July 15, 2025 -The fighting pride of the Philippines, an eight-division world champion and as of last month, an inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. While it seems like the larger than lifeManny “Pacman” Pacquiaohas accomplished everything you can in the sport, he could add yet another chapter to his historic legacy this Saturday, Lub Xya hli ntuj 19 when he challenges WBC Welterweight World ChampionMario "El Azteca" Barriosin the main event of a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
In addition to becoming the first fighter to accomplish the incomprehensible feat of winning a world title after a Hall of Fame induction, Pacquiao could break his own record as the oldest welterweight world champion in history if he takes the WBC belt from Barrios. Pacquiao originally set the mark in July 2019, as he defeated the previously unbeaten Keith Thurman at 40-years-old. In an era that’s seen superstars in their 40’s such as Tom Brady and LeBron James continue to excel at the highest levels, Pacquiao is out to prove once again that he’s a generational athlete that transcends the sport.
Pacquiao will return to the ring at a place that he’s made his own, the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the fight capital of the world, as he makes his 16th appearance at the venue, more than any fighter in the venue’s considerable history. With his 15th main event on July 19, he ties the mark set by fellow legend Floyd Mayweather at the venue, and only trails Mayweather in total wins at the arena (15-10). The two inextricably linked all-time greats are also tied for the most title fights at MGM Grand with 12 each.
Nyob rau lub Xya hli ntuj 19, Pacquiao will be facing a foe with a familiar fighting heritage in the Mexican-American Barrios, as Pacquiao has defeated a who’s-who of Mexico’s best throughout his career. Since the year 2003, Pacquiao has beaten 12 Mexican or Mexican-American fighters including legends such as Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar tsib La Hoya, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Antonio Margarito. These triumphs include some of Pacquiao’s most notable wins and helped him earn the attention and adoration of boxing’s rabid Mexican fanbase.
While racking up all of these accomplishments, Pacquiao has garnered respect from a wide range of boxing luminaries who have shared their favorite “Manny Moments” ahead of the July 19 kev tshwm sim. Amongst those who spoke about Pacquiao were former opponents Thurman and Barrera, as well as former sparring partner and welterweight champion Shawn Porter.
“It’s never been about one moment for me when it comes to Manny Pacquiao,"Hais tias Thurman. “My favorite moment is any time he’s busted off those eight-punch combos. With an opponent on the ropes, world-class competition, and he just fires off an eight-set. It’s happened many times, but every time I’ve witnessed it, it’s sparked a little joy in my heart.”
“I have two favorite Manny moments, the first is when he beat Oscar De La Hoya, because I thought it was impossible,"hais tias Barrera. “I thought it would never happen and then De La Hoya remained seated and it was over. The second one was the way he beat Miguel Cotto. It was two Hall of Famers and Manny being really impressive in that weight class.
“What makes Manny so special is the bond and closeness with his fans. His heart is what makes everyone like him. He likes to put on a show, give it all for the fans, and most importantly, he becomes a warrior when he steps in the ring.”
“I have a rare Manny Pacquiao moment, because there aren’t too many that get to spar with the legend,” said Porter. “He flew me and my dad out to the Philippines and we met for the first time and he was like ‘okay this is gonna be fun.’ I was shocked because this was the first time that someone treated getting in the ring with me like it wasn’t a big deal…After I talked to my corner I turned around and took a step toward the center of the ring and it was like this moment came over me like ‘you’re sparring Manny Pacquiao.’ I was in a daze for like the first 10 vib nas this. And he caught me with a good straight left hand in the first minute and it woke me up. I was like ‘that dude’s got some power’, and then we were off to the races.”
When prognosticating the results of this Saturday, Lub Xya hli ntuj 19 matchup, the oddsmakers have installed the younger reigning champion Barrios as a betting favorite. Renowned trainer and boxing analyst Stephen “Breadman” Edwards agrees with the sentiment, emphasizing how gargantuan the task at hand is for the 46-year-old great.
“It would be an incredible feat for a 46-year-old fighter to come back and win the welterweight world title,” said Edwards. “It’s hard to even imagine someone being off for a few years and then coming back at 46 and winning it. In all honesty, I think that this may be an impossible task. If anyone can do it, Manny can do it, but right now I’m favoring Barrios.”
Despite the odds, several of the polled boxers are favoring Pacquiao to pull off the upset, including Porter, Barrera, and reigning WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Gary Antuanne Russell.
“Pacquiao is a punches in bunches type of guy and he can crack,"said Russell. “He’s shown that his punching power can get the job done. Barrios is youthful and a selective puncher. I don’t think he’s gonna be able to sit there and take pictures. Manny will make you pay if you wait too long. He’s always shown that he wants to get the fight going.
“Pacquiao is a high-tempo fighter and Barrios has struggled with that pace. Barrios is a tough competitor, but I feel like he still has a lot to learn. Manny has been in there with many champions and I believe he has the tools in his arsenal and that it’ll show the night of the fight. Barrios is gonna have to shock the world. He has to show enough to make Manny respect him. I’m leaning towards Manny being victorious, but may the best man win.”
“I do believe that Manny Pacquiao is gonna beat Mario Barrios,” said Porter. “I know that everyone is talking about his age. That’s the theme, can the old man beat the young man? I think this old man is always gonna be too much until he hangs up the gloves.”
“I think this will be a very interesting fight,” said Barrera. “Pacquiao is a superb warrior, an eight-division world champion who will give it his all and who likes to put on a show. This sets up to be a fight where we will really see these guys collide and make the fans the real winners.
“Barrios is an active defending champion, and while he’s not as complex as the other current champions, he will be dangerous once he steps into the ring. I would like to see Pacquiao win because of the legend that he is. I’ll go with Manny Pacquiao as the winner, but if Barrios wins, it’ll be because he proves that he’s the better fighter right now.”
No matter who you see winning on July 19, the evening is undoubtedly shaping up to be historic, and despite any doubts coming from the outside, Pacquiao has expressed the strong self-belief that he will leave the ring as world champion once again.
“The fire, determination and eagerness to work hard is still there,” said Pacquiao. “I’m still enjoying running the mountains. Not every fighter has this feeling. This is a blessing, because I’ve been through so many big fights in my career and I’m still here. I’m back…It would mean a lot for me to become world champion again. Manny Pacquiao is always giving surprises to the fans. That’s my passion.”
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Hais txog Pacquiao vs. Lub kab teb
Pacquiao vs. Barrios yuav pom cov cuab yeej ntawm lub koob meej boxingManny “Pacman” Pacquiaothiab WBC Welterweight Ntiaj Teb Sib TwMario "El Azteca" Barriossquare tawm hauv lub ntsiab kev tshwm sim ntawm lub hnub qub-studded PBC them nyiaj-ib-saib ntawm Prime Video rau hnub Saturday, Lub Xya hli ntuj 19 los ntawm lub MGM Grand vaj Arena nyob rau hauv Las Vegas.
Nyob rau hauv lub co-ntsiab kev tshwm sim, WBC Super Welterweight Ntiaj Teb Sib TwSebastian "Tus Towering Inferno" FundoraThiab Australian SuperStarTim Tszyu yuav rov ua dua tom qab koom nrog 2024 txoj kev sib ntaus heev.
Qhov kev txiav txim yuav ua rau muaj lub hnub qub MevIsaac "Pitbull" Cruzthiab nws nyuaj-hitting countrymanAngel Fierro Lub rooj sib tham rau zaum ob nyob rau hauv 12-puag ncig super nyom duel tom qab lawv cov kev txiav txim ntim lub ob hlis ntuj sib tsoo, Ntxiv rau yav dhau los ob-cob qhia thoob ntiaj tebBrandon "The Hardubreak" Formueroathiab sab saum toj contenderJoe Gonzalez ncaws tawm cov nyiaj them-ib-saib ntawm 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT with a 12-round WBA Featherweight Title Eliminator.
Ua ntej them-ib-saib, championGary Russell Jr.tops a three fight card streaming live on Prime Video, as he steps back into the ring to faceHugo Castañedain a 10-round lightweight showdown.
The action also includes undefeated top super bantamweightDavid “Rey” Picassodueling Japanese contenderKyonosuke Kamedanyob rau hauv ib tug 10-round yi, plus Filipino power-puncher and former world championMark “Magnifico” MagsayoBattel neexico'sJorge Matain a 10-round super featherweight attraction opening the show at 5:30 p.m. Li / 2:30 p.m. PT.
Yog xav paub ntxiv mus saib xyuas Amazon.com/pbc, www.premierboxingchampions.com, Ua raws #pacquiaobarrios, raws li nyob rau hauv TwitterPremierBoxing, On Instagram @Premierboxing, los yog los ua ib tug kiv cua nyob rau Facebook ntawmhttp://www.facebook.com/premierboxEnity
