Manny Pacquiao’s team is working hard to line up a WBA welterweight title fight against Mario Barrios, and they’re feeling pretty confident about it. Pacquiao’s manager, Sean Gibbons, recently headed to the WBC Convention in Hamburg, Germany, and made it very clear that Pacquiao “wants to challenge Barrios.” At 45 years old, Pacquiao’s window for truly competitive action is closing, so Gibbons and company hope to get this fight done sooner rather than later. “Manny was just in Dubai,” Gibbons told Boxing Scene, “and 2025 is probably his last year of real competitive boxing, and he’d still love the Mario Barrios fight, and some people believe Manny really has a shot in that fight, and that’s been the goal to make.”
Barrios, who currently holds the WBA welterweight belt, has also caught the interest of Conor Benn. Benn is newly reinstated after a suspension following a positive test for banned substances back in 2022. Despite that interest, Pacquiao’s team believes Barrios is the best bet for a deal. One reason is that Barrios is backed by Premier Boxing Champions and Al Haymon, who have worked with Pacquiao multiple times in the past. “You would look at Mario Barrios being with PBC, Mr. Al Haymon, who’s done Manny Pacquiao’s last three or four fights,” Gibbons explained, “and he’s the only one who’s stepped up. There’s been a lot of talk about doing stuff, but Al Haymon’s the only one that’s put his money where his mouth and promotions are.”
Another factor is the timing. Pacquiao is planning to run for re-election to the Philippine Senate, but he still has a few months free. According to Gibbons, “Manny came in in Vegas [against Lehlo Ledwaba] he can go out in Vegas.” In other words, if they can lock in this fight with Barrios, Las Vegas would be an ideal stage for Pacquiao to have one last major run. Gibbons called the next three or four months a “perfect time” to train, giving Pacquiao the preparation he needs for a serious challenge.
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