Philippines boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has no plans of moving away from the sport, with his promoter and president of MP Manny Pacquiao Promotions, Sean Gibbons, confirming that the icon has one more big fight left in him.
Gibbons has been busy recently trying to get the Filipino icon one more “special” fight before he turns too old to face some of boxing’s current top stars. It was recently reported that Pacquiao is eager to fight in the welterweight category, with the 45-year-old eager to challenge for the World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title.
Mario Barrios recently captured the WBC welterweight title, and Gibbons believes that Pacquiao challenging for the WBC welterweight title will be his “legacy fight,” if it does take place.
Equipo de Mario Barrios quiere pelea con Manny Pacquiao o Devin Haney. Video Reportaje disponible por medio de nuestro canal de YouTube: Boxing Studs#Boxeo #NoticiasBoxeo #BoxingStuds #MarioBarrios #MannyPacquiao #DevinHaney https://t.co/j2A8GMo6Tj pic.twitter.com/sMJFZVkL6f
— Boxing Studs Noticias (@BoxingStuds) June 26, 2024
“It’s paying respect to WBC. You know Manny, he loves to fight. He will give his one hundred percent in the ring. This would be his legacy fight if it happens. Barrios is a solid, quality fighter who beat Ugas. I think he is easy to hit. He will play to Manny’s ball game. It’s a winnable fight for Manny,” Gibbons said as quoted by World Boxing News.
“When asked about Manny’s chances against Crawford, experts were mum. But when asked about Manny’s chances against Barrios, they are fine. Now, let’s find out if there is a promoter out there willing to stage it,” he added.
There remains no doubt that Pacquiao will go into the clash as the definite underdog against the much younger Barrios. However, it should be noted that there remains no doubt about his ability, considering that he beat Keith Thurman to win the World Boxing Association (WBA) Welterweight title at the age of 40.
The Filipino icon was in the news recently after the Rizin Fighting Federation announced on Sunday, June 9, that the 45-year-old will face Japanese Rizin Featherweight Champion Chihiro Suzuki in a three-round exhibition fight at the Saitama Arena on July 28. The clash will be staged under the banner of Rizin Fighting Federation, and this will be the first time in over a decade that he will be fighting outside his usual, standard fighting weight.
Pacquiao has not been seen in a competitive fight since losing to Yordenis Ugas via a unanimous decision in August 2021. It will be intriguing to see what is in store for Pacquiao in the near future, considering that he will turn 46 next year. He is not getting any younger, with many wanting the iconic boxer to call it a day rather than risk tarnishing his legacy by continuing in the sport.
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