LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 16: TGB Promotions President Tom Brown (C) looks on as Manny Pacquiao (L) … More
Manny Pacquiao retired from boxing in 2021. The only boxer to win titles in eight weight divisions ends his retirement on Saturday, July 19. On that night in Las Vegas the 46-year-old Pacquiao steps into the boxing ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, to face 30-year-old WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in the main event of a PBC pay-per-view boxing card.
Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Opening Betting Odds And Betting Line Movement
When the betting odds for the Barrios vs. Pacquiao were first published, Barrios was listed as the -750 betting favorite over the +470 Pacquiao. The champ is now -390, while the challenger is +220.
Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios
Mexican-US boxer Mario Barrios holds a championship belt during the press conference ahead of his … More
The 30-year-old Barrios won the vacant WBC interim welterweight title in September 2023 with a unanimous decision over Yordenis Ugás. He retained the belt in May 2024 with a decision victory over Fabián Maidana. The WBC elevated Barrios to full championship status in June 2024. In his most recent outing, which came in November, Barrios fought Abel Ramos to a split draw to retain the belt.
“If the roles were reversed, Pacquiao wouldn’t try to take it easy on me,” Barrios told The Ring. “He’s not going to feel sorry for me in there. It’s just the reality of the sport. I am ready to defend my title by any means necessary.
“It’s kill or be killed in there. I have to go in there and make sure my hand is raised by any means necessary, whether it’s by knockout or by decision. He has age. I have to be ready for whatever he brings.”
“He’s such a likable dude,” Barrios said of his opponent. “It’s hard to be like, ‘Man, I’m about to square up with him for my title.’ But I am going in there with bad intentions. I am trying to get him out of there.”
Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) is the No. 3 ranked 147-pounder according to ESPN.
Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao attends the press conference ahead of his July 19 WBC welterweight … More
ESPN reported on Pacquiao coming out of retirement in early May. The former eight-division boxing champion confirmed his return on Instagram, writing, “On July 19, I return to the ring to face WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Let’s make history! #TeamPacquiao 🇵🇭”
The 46-year-old Pacquiao last fought in August 2021 when he dropped a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas for the WBA welterweight championship. Not long after that setback, Pacquiao announced his retirement.
“Even me, I’m amazed at what I have done,” Pacquiao said in a video he posted on social media. “The only boxer to hold world titles in four different decades and became the oldest boxer to win a world welterweight title, an amazing accomplishment.”
“It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over,” he added. “Today, I am announcing my retirement. I never thought that this day would come. As I hang up my boxing gloves, I would like to thank the whole world, especially the Filipino people, for supporting Manny Pacquiao.”
Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) was the No. 6 ranked welterweight, according to ESPN, when he retired. He is currently unranked.
“Goodbye, boxing. Thank you for changing my life,” Pacquiao added. “You gave me the chance to find a way out of poverty. Because of you, I was able to inspire people all over the world. Because of you, I have been given the courage to change more life.
“I will never forget what I have done and accomplished in my life. I can’t imagine that I have just heard the final bell.”
Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Tale Of The Tape
Manny Pacquiao
Record: 62-8-2 with 39 knockouts
Age: 46
Height: 5’5.5″
Reach: 67″
Stance: Southpaw
Mario Barrios
Record: 29-2-1 with 18 knockouts
Age: 30
Height: 6’0″
Reach: 71″
Stance: Orthodox
Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Breakdown
Manny Pacquiao is 46. Couple that with his inactivity, and no one should expect to see the fighter they remember him being in his heyday when he steps into the ring on Saturday. The question facing Pacquiao is whether the athleticism that helped him in his younger days can still assist him in competition in 2025.
Pacquiao’s reflexes, speed, and natural abilities helped mask some of the gaps in his game when he was racking up titles in eight divisions. Pacquiao displayed remarkable speed in his punches and footwork, which allowed him to move in and out of range with ease, while also landing blows from odd angles as his foes looked to react to Pacquiao’s movement. In his most recent fight, an August 2024 exhibition against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo, Pacquiao displayed slower movement and reflexes, which put him off balance and allowed his opponent to land while Pacquiao looked to recover his stance. At best, the slip in Pacquiao’s athleticism will remain where it was during that three-round affair. Don’t expect the best-case scenario on Saturday.
Mario Barrios is 30 and in his prime. If Pacquiao has declined significantly in his athleticism, which should be apparent early in this matchup, then Barrios must exploit Pacquiao’s pressure and tendency to push forward. If Barrios can pick up the timing of his aging opponent’s attacks, he should be able to counter effectively and step back out of range before Pacquiao can regain his footing and respond. Barrios’s height and reach advantages in this fight will also help him when it comes to countering Pacquiao’s attacks.
If Barrios can use his jab to keep Pacquiao and force him to work to get into range, that will also help Barrios when it comes to working effective counters.
Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Pick And Prediction
The pick is for Barrios to win via decision or a knockout in the second half of the matchup.
Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Main Event
Mario Barrios (29-2-1) vs. Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2): For Barrios’s WBC welterweight championship
Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Undercard
Sebastian Fundora (22-1-1-) vs. Tim Tszyu (25-2-0): For Fundora’s WBC junior middleweight title
Isaac Cruz (27-3-1) vs. Angel Fierro (23-3-2): Junior welterweight
Brandon Figueroa (25-2-1) vs. Joet Gonzalez (27-4-0): Featherweight
Gary Russell Jr. (31-2-0) vs. Hugo Castaneda (15-2-1): Lightweight
David Picasso (31-0-1) vs. Kyonosuke Kamed (15-4-2): Junior featherweight
Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card Date:
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card Time:
5:30 p.m. ET
Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card Location:
MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV
Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card How to Watch Or Stream:
Amazon Prime Video
Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card Streaming Cost:
$79.95
We will have more on the Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios as fight night nears.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/trentreinsmith/2025/07/17/manny-pacquiao-vs-mario-barrios-fight-odds-predictions-and-picks/