Manny Pacquiao is closing in on an unprecedented WBC welterweight title shot at 45, permitting the Filipino famous person to interrupt his file.
Pacquiao is in talks to problem former interim champion Mario Barrios for the total WBC crown after the WBC determined to raise his title standing in June.
Again then, the WBC stated, “The WBC Board of Governors has voted in favor of the ruling to raise interim champion Mario Barrios to World champion after the WBC granted Terrence Crawford the Champion in recess standing and can compete in a last elimination bout within the tremendous welterweight division to resolve then during which class he’ll proceed.
“Mario Barrios, the hero of San Antonio, conquered the WBC interim championship on September thirtieth, 2023, as he defeated Yordenis Ugas in a sensational battle. In his most up-to-date bout, he defeated Fabian Maidana by determination at Las Vegas, Nevada.”
Barrios being handed the coveted inexperienced and gold strap is Pacquiao’s achieve. The eight-weight titleholder instantly focused Barrios, as MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons informed WBN first in Could.
Since then, Gibbons has stored WBN within the loop and up to date the state of affairs earlier than Premier Boxing Champions launched its fall/winter schedule.
Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios in-play
“Completely, Barrios is in play for Manny Pacquiao,” Gibbons informed World Boxing Information solely. “It can both come collectively within the subsequent two weeks or not. We’re completely pushing ahead to get it achieved.
“That’s all in. We’re all in to make that battle with Barrios,” he added.
WBN Lead Author Alan Dawson had additionally confirmed earlier this week that Pacquiao vs Barrios was on the agenda for PBC affirmation within the coming weeks. As soon as the contract is signed, Pacquiao can smash his oldest welterweight champion file by 5 years and alter.
Again in July 2019, Pacquiao challenged Keith Thurman in Las Vegas. WBN was ringside to witness Pacquiao turn out to be the oldest 147-pound titleholder in historical past at 40. In what might show to be his swansong, relying on the outcome, Pacquiao might twister that benchmark out of the ballpark with a surprising victory over Barrios.
At present, WBN understands that the MGM Grand can be the favourite to land the battle as Pacquiao is undefeated in his final three appearances on the venue. PBC will think about The T-Cell, however with Pacquiao dropping to Ugas within the area final time, the MGM can be the right setting for boxing’s ‘Pac-Man’ to go for gold once more.
Moreover, extra data will turn out to be obvious within the subsequent fortnight.
Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay. Be taught extra concerning the creator, skilled boxing author, and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010. Observe on Twitter @PhilJWBN.