Manny Pacquiao returns to boxing ring to face Mario Barrios
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"I'll do the rematch. Absolutely. This was huge for boxing. I'd love to do it again,” said Barrios, who escaped with his World Boxing Council welterweight belt after his fight with Pacquiao was declared a draw.
Pacquiao stunned the boxing world in May when he announced that he planned to end his four-year exile from the sport to challenge Barrios, taking advantage of a WBC rule that allows former champions to request an immediate title fight when coming out of retirement.
With trusted trainer Freddie Roach in his corner, the 46-year-old legend is coming out of retirement to challenge welterweight champ Mario Barrios on Saturday.
Boxer Manny Pacquiao trains with Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Club on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP) Roach is one of the rare trainers who is always honest with his fighters.
Manny Pacquiao will face off against champion Mario Barrios Saturday night, but "Pacman's" toughest opponent is expected to be his age.
On May 1, 1995, Manny Pacquiao won a six-round decision over Rocky Palma in Cavite, Philippines, pushing his record to 3-0. They both weighed 107 pounds, but Pacquiao had weights in his pocket to qualify for the minimum weight requirement of the division. Seventeen days later, Mario Barrios was born in San Antonio.
Emmanuel "Jimuel" Pacquiao's boxing debut will be coming at a later date, rather then right before his father's return to the ring.
Reflecting on Pacquiao’s legendary career and risks of his comeback at 46, this piece highlights the bittersweet hope and danger in his return.