World Boxing Information gained the views of Bob Santos, coach of Mario Barrios, concerning a possible battle with Manny Pacquiao.
WBN broke the information of Pacquiao vs Barrios, which has since hit different media retailers this weekend, solely on June 1. MP Promotions’ Sean Gibbons outlined his intentions to foyer the World Boxing Council for a welterweight title battle.
Barrios, who’s the interim WBC champion, is more likely to be elevated within the coming weeks. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has since informed WBN that the sanctioning physique would take into account permitting Pacquiao to problem for the inexperienced and gold regardless of three years out and a loss in his final battle towards Yordenis Ugas.
Pacquiao’s standing as a boxing legend and the very fact the Filipino famous person is simply planning yet one more skilled bout would see the WBC look favorably upon the request. As Sulaiman identified to WBN, particular dispensation has occurred earlier than when Sugar Ray Leonard launched into a comeback after ending his retirement in 1987 to problem Marvin Hagler for the middleweight title. Leonard had been out three years, much like Pacquiao, however his standing within the sport allowed for a WBC exception within the case.
The identical circumstances would apply to Pacquiao, who now is aware of Barrios on his staff are on board.
“I believe it’s nice anytime your identify might be talked about with Manny Pacquiao. That’s all the time an excellent factor,” coach Santos informed World Boxing Information in an unique interview.
“I believe it will be an incredible battle for the followers. Pacquiao all the time retains himself in nice form, as does Barrios. Kinds make fights and I believe it will be an incredible battle. The one factor about Pacquiao is that he all the time retains himself in nice form. By no means see him obese; due to this fact, guys like him can final a protracted, very long time.”
Requested his ideas on the WBC confirming the conflict for the world welterweight crown, Santos replied, “I actually don’t know. That’s as much as the WBC. So far as work is worried, there’s no two methods about it. We’re the WBC champion, and that’s how we see it. [Terence] Crawford [WBC Champion in Recess[ is now competing at 154, and we are the champ at 147.
“The one thing Mario Barrios is always about is challenges. He’s always looking for the best possible challenges, and that’s what he’ll continue to be about looking for the best possible fights,” he concluded.
WBN understands that Pacquiao vs Barrio holds an initial target range of September to October in Las Vegas. The MGM Grand or T-Mobile Arena would be hosting Pacquiao for the final time in what would be a fitting swansong.
The “Pac-Man” didn’t get that opportunity previously as a scheduled fight with Errol Spence Jr. fell apart at the last minute. Ugas stepped in and defeated Pacquiao. A return for the 45-year-old has since failed to materialize.
Facing Barrios gives Pacquiao an ideal chance to bow out of the sport on his terms.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
