The long-awaited return of Manny Pacquiao is just days away and the boxing world will be watching closely at the performance of the Filipino eight-time world champion after four years away from the ring. The opponent will be Mexican-American Mario Barrios, who will put his WBC welterweight title on the line at the MGM Grand Arena on Saturday, July 19. The first impressions of the famous “Pacman” is a slim and athletic physique, where he has shown that he has prepared thoroughly for this commitment.
Pacquiao, with a record of 62 wins (39 by KO), eight losses and two draws, is the only eight-division champion in boxing history. In terms of achievements, he is one of the most decorated athletes of all time. And while he is a quiet person in life, he becomes a demon inside the ring. However, these words do not come from his trainer, but from a character who will be in the opposite corner of the ring.
Pacquiao’s strengths in his fight against Mario Barrios
Manny Pacquiao is an athlete who has dominated different categories of pugilism. Weight has not been an obstacle to success in his nearly 30 years in boxing. That is why it has been pointed out that the Filipino is even more dangerous than Mike Tyson. This was stated by Bob Santos, Mario Barrios’ trainer, who has observed him closely at the Wild Card Gym on previous occasions. He is now in the rival camp with Barrios.
With some admiration for the multi-champion, Bob Santos believes that the Filipino’s lifestyle and discipline make him an even greater threat in the ring than Mike Tyson, who did not necessarily have the discipline, but the power of his fists was lethal. While Pacquiao is a respectful person, he shows a different side of himself in the ring. Santos told the Filipino press: “He’s the biggest killer in the ring. Mike Tyson has bravado and wants to kill you, but many times he fell short because he didn’t have the lifestyle of Manny.”
Manny Pacquiao’s age is not a limitation in his boxing
A few days before Pacquiao’s comeback fight, Santos refuses to take Pacquiao’s 46 years of age lightly and pointed out how fighters such as Erik Morales, Antonio Margarito and Oscar De La Hoya suffered the wrath of the Filipino. Santos added that against Pacquiao, inside the ring, the battle is a matter of life and death, as he does not give an inch. Santos added: “So Manny Pacquiao, when he executes his mind and what he’s trying to do, guess what, if you don’t knock him out, you’re going to take a lot of punishment throughout the fight”.
Praising Pacquiao even more, he said: “He’s an absolute killer, an absolute killer. A very nice guy. Manny Pacquiao has never disrespected me, he’s never disrespected Robert Guerrero, but man, once you get in the ring, you better be ready”. In this way, Bob Santos also seeks to profile Mario Barrios with respect, in what will be a unique fight from the recent professional boxing cards.
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