By: Sean Crose
A decade or so in the past nobody would query whether or not or not Manny Pacquiao would have the ability to defeat Mario Barrios in a battle. Pacquiao, in spite of everything, was miles above the gutsy Barrios when it got here to ability units. Time takes its toll, nonetheless, and Pacquiao finds himself within the underdog function on the eve of his pay per view throwdown with Barrios this weekend. Pacquiao is now a whopping 46 years outdated, a full half decade plus older than Barrios, who holds the WBC welterweight belt. What’s extra, Pacquiao’s final battle resulted in defeat for the Filipino icon…and that was near 4 years in the past.
Nobody can predict what’s going to occur earlier than knowledgeable battle, after all, however individuals anticipating Pacquiao to be the identical man who mowed down Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton again in what now looks like ages in the past, are prone to be disillusioned. Barrios is a talented professional whose solely loses have come on the gloved fingers of Keith Thurman and Gervonta Davis, not precisely slouches. Definitely, a victory over Pacquiao – even an aged Pacquiao – this weekend will probably be be the excessive level of Barrios’ profession. If that isn’t a motivating manufacturing unit for the world titlist, it’s exhausting to think about what’s.
With that being stated, it seems some selective matchmaking might have been at work right here. Barrios’ fellow welterweight titlists Jaron “Boots” Ennis, and Brian Norman may need come throughout as far too harmful for a legend rising from a yr’s lengthy retirement. Nonetheless, it’s telling that Pacquiao is prepared to leap proper right into a title battle upon his return to the ring. Little doubt present welterweight contenders are lower than proud of this growth, however Pacquiao brings in eyeballs and {dollars}, at the same time as he closes in on fifty years of age. Any provide to battle Pacquiao is, to paraphrase the Corleones, a suggestion that may’t be refused.
With that in thoughts, Barrios has a complete lot driving on this weekend. Win or lose, he’s absolutely making some huge cash this Saturday night time. Nonetheless, his relative youth, and appreciable peak benefit (in addition to age and rustiness on the a part of Pacquiao) will possible make a Barrios victory lower than shocking for followers of the game. If Pacquiao can pull off the upset, nonetheless, the harm to Barrio’s status might certainly be profound. Until he leaves the ring with a decisive victory to go along with what’s most possible a substantial paycheck, will probably be a troublesome weekend for the fighter often called El Azteca.
