Pacquiao-Barrios, Fundora-Tszyu live updates, results, analysis
Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring at the age of 46, to challenge Mario Barrios for the Welter WBC weight title on Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas (Video PPV, ppv.com, 8 p.m. he).
Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 ko), the only eight boxing champion, fought for the last time in a unanimous loss of decision against Yordenis Ugas in August 2021 when he was 42 years old. In this fight, Ugas exceeded Pacquiao in punches (151-130), Jabs (50-42) and the punches (101-88). UGA also connected 59% of its punches.
With a victory, Pacquiao, who enters the fight as outsider (+210 by Pari Espn) would become the oldest fighter to win a world of Welter weight, a record he has already broken when he broke Keith Thurman by shared decision in July 2019 at the age of 40.
“I agree to be the oppressed. I have been the oppressed several times. I still bring surprises,” Pacquiao said at a press conference on Wednesday in Las Vegas. “I have been challenging several times and it’s always the same feeling. I’m delighted to take the belt.”
Barrios (29-2-1, 18 kos), which is 16 years younger than Pacquiao, won the provisional WBC belt by beating UGA by unanimous decision in September 2023. He made a defense before being raised to a full title holder when Terence Crawford left the belt to increase the weight. He kept the title in a draw against Abel Ramos on Jake Paul against Mike Tyson Undercard last November.
The two defeats of Barrios came against Gervonta “tank” Davis in 2021 and Thurman in 2022. Davis, a SouthPaw like Pacquiao, dropped Barrios twice in their fight, cut him to the left eye and stopped him 11.
“Manny is unique. It is not an easy style to copy in the training camp,” said Barrios. “We have had a lot of different southpaw looks, so I feel extremely comfortable.
“In the end, he is just another man in there. Another opponent trying to take my title.”
Also on the map, Sebastian Fundora defends his world of intermediate junior WBC weight in a revenge match against the old Titlist WBO Tim Tszyu. Fundora defeated Tszyu by shared decision during their first fight in March 2024.
Earlier in the day, Oleksandr Usyk beat Daniel Dubois by Ko from Fifth Round to the Wembley stadium in London to return to the undisputed heavyweight championship.
Andreas Hale is in Las Vegas to bring you everything that is happening to the MGM Grand Garden Arena, including the Undercard results, combat updates and round analysis.
