By James Mario Ajero
Manny Pacquiao may have tasted defeat against Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas in 2021, but the loss has not discouraged the legend from making a grand comeback.
Pacquiao, also known by his moniker “Pacman,” is set to make a return to boxing, according to World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman.
In an interview with Boxing King Media, Sulaiman said that the boxing legend will challenge American Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title.
While fans worldwide are thrilled to see Pacman reignite his boxing career, many sports experts and former boxers are doubtful whether the Filipino still has the physical might to compete in a high-level match-up.
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From flyweight to welterweight
Pacquaio’s systematic beatdowns of heavier and taller fighters like Lehlo Ledwaba, David Diaz, Ricky Hatton, Erik Morales, Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Oscar de la Hoya, Shane Mosley, and Chris Algieri are some of the most memorable in boxing history.
Originally a flyweight boxer, “Pacman” steadily cut through division after division through his uncanny hand speed, excellent footwork, and knockout power, becoming a pound-for-pound king of the sport.
In his 26-year career as a boxer, Pacquiao amassed a win-loss-draw record of 62-8-2, achieving an impressive 54.2% knockout rate. He also won 13 world titles to become the only eight-division world champion in boxing.
The Thurman blueprint
Athleticism, as everybody knows, fades through time regardless of the effort to slow down the natural process of the human body. This is especially true in combat sports where the human body is subjected to hours of crushing pressure.
In Pacquaio’s case, he surprised the boxing world in 2019 by outboxing the then-undefeated Keith Thurman at 40 years old to become the oldest welterweight in history, further strengthening his case for being the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in boxing.
The Filipino fighter unleashed his signature hand speed and foot mobility to score a first-round flash knockdown against the bigger Thurman that set the tone of the fight.
In the words of boxer Danny Garcia after Pacquiao beat Thurman via split decision: “We just witnessed history, to be honest with you. Manny Pacquiao defeated a whole new generation of welterweights.”
Pacquiao vs Barrios
Now at 46 years old, the odds are even greater against Pacquiao despite Barrios being a lower-caliber fighter compared to Thurman.
Standing at 6′0, 29-year-old Barrios has 29 wins, two losses, and one draw as a professional boxer. With 18 KO victories under his belt, Barrios has the means to power to bring Pacquiao to the canvas.
Barrios only lost to two of the elite boxers of the day, Thurman and Gervonta Davis.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, has shown to be vulnerable even during his prime. The best example is his KO loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in their fourth fight in 2012.
Legacy or money?
Judging him by his boxing achievements, it has been universally agreed by both fans and experts that Pacquiao is already ensconced in the top 10 greatest boxers of all time.
“A Jack Dempsey in the lightweight division!” says announcer Jim Lampley as Pacquiao annihilates Diaz in their WBC lightweight bout in 2008, referring to the Filipino fighter’s explosiveness and versatility that few can match.
A defeat at nearly 46 years old may not be enough to put a crevice on Pacquiao’s resume. A win, on the other hand, might revive discussions about whether Pacquiao should be ahead of Mayweather Jr. in the all-time list of greatest boxers.
However, one could argue that this return, by all means, is unnecessary. Pacquiao had a respectable performance despite the loss to Ugas with the scorecards slightly favoring the Cuban, 115-113, 116-112, and 116-112.
If his legacy as a boxer is untouchable regardless of whether he wins or loses to Barrios, then why make a comeback? Why risk his health, or worse, lose in a spectacular fashion like de la Hoya in 2008?
Money may be a factor here as Pacquiao is also a known philanthropist in the Philippines, aside from his six-year senate stint.
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