WBC world champion Mario Barrios admits to harbouring mixed emotions after being selected to defend his welterweight crown against Manny Pacquiao.
The pair will collide in a controversial showdown on July 19, headlining an Amazon Prime pay-per-view card at the iconic MGM Grand, Las Vegas.
But despite the bells and whistles attached to the event, much has been made of the fact that Pacquiao, 62-8-2 (39 KOs), a pound-for-pound legend, is returning to a professional ring.
For the most part, it seems, the boxing fraternity has expressed its concern with the 46-year-old’s decision to come out of retirement, not long after his exhibition matchup with Rukiya Anpo last year.
In that non-competitive spectacle, Pacquiao was made to look his age against a Japanese kickboxer who, other than his size, would have boasted no advantages over a prime version of his opponent.
The Filipino’s last professional outing, meanwhile, took place in 2021, back when he suffered a comprehensive unanimous decision defeat to Yordenis Ugas.
Yet still, the eight-division world champion has been welcomed back into the sport, with many believing that he hand-picked Barrios, 29-2-1 (18 KOs), as the weakest titlist at 147lbs.
The 30-year-old, to his credit, outpointed Ugas in 2023, and now finds himself coming off a less polished, but no less gallant, performance against Abel Ramos.
Both fighters, as it happened, touched the canvas in what swiftly became a thrilling encounter, with Barrios ultimately retaining his title as the pair boxed to a draw.
At the same time, though, ‘El Azteca’ has since given an honest assessment of his display, acknowledging why he may have been targeted over the likes of Jaron Ennis and Brian Norman Jr.
“It wasn’t my best performance,” Barrios told Boxing News’ Andi Purewal. “But regardless, I went in there against Ramos and gave it 100 per cent, [or at least] what 100 per cent was that day.
“I retained the title, but whether it was the performance – or for whatever reason [Pacquiao] chose me – it’s kind of like a compliment and an insult, both at the same time.
“[but] it’s still an honour, just to be able to say that I’m going to share the ring with Pacquiao.”
