Manny Pacquiao continues to prepare for his long-awaited return against Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas. The Filipino boxer is very motivated by his return to boxing and has made it known on his social networks, where he has published videos and photos of his training and quoting phrases from Rocky, something that has amazed his fans, but which has also cost him a lot of criticism.
At 46 years old, Pacquiao will return to boxing, something that has not happened since 2021, when he retired and decided to enter the world of politics, where in his last attempt to be president failed and since then wanted to try to do what he loves most: boxing at the highest level and against the best.
Pacquiao’s situation has raised doubts and criticism in the boxing world and now the president of Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn, has spoken about the issue in an interview with BoxingScene, describing Pacquiao’s actions as crazy.
Hearn described it as “madness” that Manny Pacquiao, at 46 years of age and five years out of action, is fighting directly for a world title. He said that this “shouldn’t happen” and criticized the WBC for ranking Pacquiao without recent sporting merit. He added that if it were another boxer without his fame, “they wouldn’t give him that opportunity.”
The moment of truth
The time is getting closer. Pacquiao will have to step into the ring on July 19 and prove whether he is really ready to be at Barrios’ level and put on a great show. The Filipino is aware of all the criticism and questioning that there is towards him and that is why he is preparing like never before to give the blow and silence mouths.
One of the criticisms that has been leveled at the Filipino is that he was given this opportunity for a title despite the latest ranking update that does not have him among the best. This right was earned by being considered a “legend” and that weight will be an added pressure for the fight that all boxing fans are waiting for.
Manny Pacquiao’s last bullet
August 21, 2021 was the last time Manny Pacquiao stepped into a professional ring. On that night, the Filipino faced Cuban Yordenis Ugas at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and left with a unanimous decision loss with scorecards of 115-113, 116-112 and 11.
Since then, Pacquiao went into politics and four years later realised that his passion still lies in the ring and decided to force his big comeback. Time and the July 19 fight will tell if this was the right decision.
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