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 struggle. Pacquiao, in spite of everything, was miles above the gutsy Barrios when it got here to talent units. Time takes its toll, nevertheless, 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 previous, a full half decade plus older than Barrios, who holds the WBC welterweight belt. What’s extra, Pacquiao’s final struggle led to 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 struggle, in fact, however folks anticipating Pacquiao to be the identical man who mowed down Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton again in what now looks as if ages in the past, are more likely to be disenchanted. Barrios is a talented professional whose solely loses have come on the gloved fingers of Keith Thurman and Gervonta Davis, not precisely slouches. Indubitably, a victory over Pacquiao – even an aged Pacquiao – this weekend can be be the excessive level of Barrios’ profession. If that isn’t a motivating manufacturing unit for the world titlist, it’s laborious to think about what’s.
With that being mentioned, it seems some selective matchmaking could have been at work right here. Barrios’ fellow welterweight titlists Jaron “Boots” Ennis, and Brian Norman might 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 struggle upon his return to the ring. Little question present welterweight contenders are lower than pleased with this improvement, however Pacquiao brings in eyeballs and {dollars}, whilst he closes in on fifty years of age. Any provide to struggle Pacquiao is, to paraphrase the Corleones, a suggestion that may’t be refused.
With that in thoughts, Barrios has a complete lot using on this weekend. Win or lose, he’s absolutely making some huge cash this Saturday evening. Nonetheless, his relative youth, and appreciable peak benefit (in addition to age and rustiness on the a part of Pacquiao) will probably make a Barrios victory lower than stunning for followers of the game. If Pacquiao can pull off the upset, nevertheless, the injury to Barrio’s status could certainly be profound. Until he leaves the ring with a decisive victory to go together with what’s most probably a substantial paycheck, will probably be a troublesome weekend for the fighter generally known as El Azteca.
