Manny Pacquiao And World Champion Have Now ‘Agreed’ To Record-Breaking Fight

Kerr Ferguson

Talks continue to progress for Manny Pacquiao to return to the sport of boxing in an attempt to break a record he set in 2019.

The Filipino fighting sensation beat Keith Thurman then to become the oldest welterweight champion in history, and now has his sights set on Mario Barrios, the recently elevated WBC Champion at 147.

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Barrios’ trainer Bob Santos provided a positive update to Boxing Scene on the negotiations, saying both parties have now agreed to the bout.

“The fight is very realistic. Very realistic. Manny wants the fight, we want the fight, and the WBC has already said they would approve the fight.

I’m sure it would take place probably in the fall. It’s just a matter of where we would do the fight, Texas or Las Vegas. But we’ve agreed that we would fight him, he’s agreed, and it’s right there on the table. Let’s see how it plays out.”

There has been some criticism from fans and analysts as to the idea of Pacquiao – who hasn’t boxed since a 2021 loss to Yordenis Ugas, the man who lost to Barrios two years later – walking straight back into a world title fight. Santos takes the same position as the WBC – he has earned it over the course of a record-breaking career.

“Manny has earned the right, for everything he’s done in the sport. A lot of people talk about, ‘He’s 45 now.’ Well, y’all are the same people that said he was 40 or 41 before he beat Keith Thurman. So, he’s earned that right if he wants to fight for a world title. He’s shown he still has good hand speed. I’ve seen some of his workouts, so if this is something he wants to do, you have to take it very seriously.”

Santos said he would be preparing his man for a tough fight even despite Pacquiao’s lay-off and advancing years.

“Obviously, I like us in the fight. I think we’re going to come out with our hands raised, but we have to really be prepared and have a great, great camp. Manny is very explosive in spots. Maybe he won’t be as explosive as he was for 12 rounds, but he’s a veteran. He knows how to set traps.”

With an Autumn date in mind, fans can expect more news soon.