Manny Pacquiao attempts to take the WBC welterweight title from the defending champion Mario Barrios in his comeback fight after four years at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday,
Amazon Prime Video pay-per-view will broadcast Pacquiao vs Barrios and Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions.
In his prime, Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) was quite simply the best in the business, winning titles from flyweight all the way up to super welterweight, but he showed signs of slowing down in 2017, when he was dethroned of his WBO welterweight title in a shock points loss to Jeff Horn in Australia.
The 46-year-old would rebound with three wins, the last a superb split decision victory over Keith Thurman in 2019, but the Filipino would then be out of action for over two years, and he looked levels below his usual self as he lost a decision to Yordenis Ugas.
That was August 2021, and the last time ‘Pacman’ was seen in action, but thanks to the generosity of the WBC, he goes for glory one final time against Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KO).
‘El Azteca’ lost back-to-back efforts against Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman in 2021 and 2022, but rebounded, widely outpointing the aforementioned Ugas in 2023 to take the interim WBC welterweight title, that he then defended on points against Fabian Maidana.
Barrios, 30, was last out last November, upgraded to full champion, but he was held to a draw by Abel Ramos in a fight where both hit the deck.
Prediction: I think this is a bold move by Pacquiao, but I can’t see him battling father time, and Barrios is likely to force a retirement in the later rounds for me.
Fundora-Tszyu rematch
An intriguing rematch heads the undercard, with Sebastian Fundora taking on Tim Tszyu with the former’s WBC super welterweight title on the line.
The pair met in March last year, with Fundora (22-1-1, 14 KOs) becoming unified champion after a split decision win where Tszyu (25-2, 18 KOs) suffered a horrendous cut early on.
The Aussie would go straight into world title class immediately, but was down three times and stopped in three by IBF champion, Bakhram Murtazaliev last October.
‘The Soul Taker’ did return in his homeland in April, stopping Joseph Spencer in four.
Fundora has fought once since the original meeting, blasting out Chordale Booker in four in March.
Prediction: This could be a cracker, and with Tszyu supposedly making changes in training, I fancy him to make the adjustments to be on the right side of a decision here.
Cruz clashes with Fierro
Isaac Cruz (27-3-1, 18 KOs) should come through his super lightweight bout with Angel Fierro (23-3-2, 18 KOs), having won their first meeting on points over ten in February.
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Figueroa faces Gonzalez
At featherweight, Brandon Figueroa (25-2-1, 19 KOs) can bounce back after losing to Stephen Fulton by outpointing Joet Gonzalez (27-4, 15 KOs).
Remaining Undercard
In ten-rounders, Gary Russell Jr (31-2, 18 KOs) returns after over three years out, and he should win on the cards against Hugo Castaneda (15-2-1, 11 KOs) at super featherweight.
Mark Magsayo (27-2, 18 KOs), who defeated Russell in his last contest, should get the better of Jorge Mata Cuellar (21-2-2, 13 KOs) at lightweight, likely on points.
Super bantamweight prospect, David Picasso (31-0-1, 17 KOs) can win early against Japan’s Kyonosuke Kameda (15-4-2, 9 KOs).
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In eight round action, Abel Ramos (28-6-3, 22 KOs) should halt Jose Luis Sanchez (14-5-1, 4 KOs) in their welterweight contest, and at super lightweight, Omar Salcido Gamez (20-2, 14 KOs) can outpoint Brian Gallegos (8-1, 6 KOs).
Middleweight novice Eumir Felix Marcial (5-0, 3 KOs) should have enough to win early against Bernard Joseph (11-2-1, 5 KOs).
The only six rounder is at super lightweight, where Jursly Vargas (5-0, 4 KOs) can see off Sergio Aldana (4-0, 1 KO) early on, and in the only four-rounder, Joseph Brown (5-0, 4 KOs) can halt Aaron Watson (2-0-1, 1 KO) in their super welterweight clash.
