Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios Fight Preview

One of the greatest boxers of all-time Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring following a nearly four-year “retirement” to face WBC champion Mario Barrios in a welterweight title clash. Pac Man deserves respect in the ring because of his accomplishments over a lengthy and highly successful career. He’s the only boxer to win 12 world titles in eight different weight classes. In 2019 at the age of 40, Pacquiao became the oldest welterweight belt holder beating Keith Thurman. However, two years later he lost the title and subsequently retired to pursue a political career in his native Philippines. Some might question the timing of Pacquiao’s return to the ring. He is now 46-years-old and hasn’t fought in four years, and he’s facing a legitimate champion. Barrios has major physical advantages not to mention he’s 16 years younger. Barrios claimed the vacant interim WBC title with a unanimous decision over Yordenis Ugas in 2023 and he has just two losses and a draw in 32 professional fights.  The 12-round welterweight title fight between WBC champion Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) and Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) will take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The fight will be streamed on Prime pay-per-view.

Pacquiao vs. Barrios Fight Preview

Without a doubt Pacquiao will be remembered as one of the greatest boxers ever. With 62 wins in 72 professional fights and numerous world titles, it probably would have been wise for him to stay retired. There are times when the mind overrules the body, though, and this might be one of them. Pac Man is 46 and hasn’t fought in four years. He’s also undersized nearly four inches shorter than his opponent with a reach disadvantage.

I don’t think Pacquiao would’ve returned to the ring if he didn’t think he could win. That tells you a lot about him and his mindset. His last fight didn’t go the way he wanted, losing a close unanimous decision to Ugas for the WBA super welterweight title. Pac Man won the belt with a split decision over Keith Thurman in July 2019, but over two years of inactivity forced the WBA to strip him of the title giving it to Thurman. There were also hints from Manny before that final bout that he was going to retire and he didn’t display the nifty footwork he was known for.

Pacquiao vs. Barrios Predictions

Fighting and beating a champion following a four-year hiatus and at 46 is a lot to ask Pacquiao. The thing going for Pac Man is that he’s still quick and claims to be in tremendous shape. Getting to Barrios early is likely his best path to an upset. Knowing that, Barrios will use his size and reach advantage to keep Pacquiao at a distance. It’s unlikely he takes risks to chase a knockout instead using his jab to wear down Pacquiao putting this bout in line to go over the 10.5-round distance.

Pacquiao vs. Barrios Betting Tips

The boxing betting odds have Barrios as a heavy -258 favorite. The rounds are listed at 10.5 with the over at -125. There are also a number of boxing props for this fight, including round betting and how the fight will end. Most boxing pundits consider Barrios the weakest of the current welterweight champions, but he is the WBC champ so he’s doing something right. He won his first 24 fights, setting up a showdown with Russian Batyr Akhmedov for the WBA super lightweight title. Barrios won a UD in September 2019 and defended the strap with a sixth round TKO of Ryan Karl 13 months later.

The only two losses in Barrios’ career were against established fighters Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman that came back-to-back. Barrios gave WBA lightweight champ Davis the toughest fight of his career before succumbing to an 11th round TKO. Barrios also went the distance losing a UD to Thurman in February 2022. Barrios won the interim WBC title in 2023 with a UD of Ugas, the same fighter that sent Pacquiao into retirement in 2021. Last August the WBC took the interim tag off Barrios officially making him the welterweight champ. In his first defense Barrios went toe-to-toe with hard-hitting Abel Ramos with each scoring a knockdown. In the end, Barrios retained his crown with a split draw decision.

Pacquiao vs. Barrios Key Stats and Tale of the Tape

The key stat in this matchup is age. Barrios is 16 years younger than his opponent and at 30 he’s still in the prime of his career. At nearly 6-feet Barrios has a roughly five inch height advantage that also translates into a significant reach disparity. Expect Barrios to keep Manny at a distance to avoid the powerful punches.