Mario Barrios vs Manny Pacquiao WBC world welterweight title fight reportedly set for July

Mario Barrios vs Manny Pacquiao set for a WBC summer showdown

Aged 46, Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) is set to fight for a world title this summer.

WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) is likely to agree to a voluntary title defence to the eight-world champion, to be scheduled in July, according to Mauricio Sulaiman.

Manny last fought in 2021, losing via unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas. Mario most recently fought to a split decision against Abel Ramos last November.

World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman announced, ”We have a rule that a fighter who has legendary status, who passes all of the medical examinations and is licenced by the local boxing commission, can be eligible to fight for the WBC title.

”Perhaps he should have not been ranked and just gone into the fight directly. It has caused confusion to some fans and media. But the explanation is very clear. He is a legend, one of the greatest fighters, he is medically fit and has been cleared to fight and has received a licence in Nevada. That is why the WBC is supporting this Voluntary Title defence by Mario Barrios.

”Manny called me and said that he wants to retire as WBC Champion. The WBC was the first title that he won, at flyweight. He then had incredible fights with Diaz, Morales, Margarito, Barrera, Marquez, The first Diamond Belt against Cotto. And so many great moments during his legendary career have been with the WBC and he wants the WBC as his farewell.”

Mauricio pointed to Bernard Hopkins and George Foreman, who continued to excel into their forties, but also praised Barrios as a very good champion, saying: ”It's going to be a great fight.”

Barrios was elevated from WBC Interim to the full welterweight champion after Terence Crawford moved up in weight. His first title defence ended in a stalemate, so the Texan has yet to really earn his world title outright.

"El Azteca" is 30-years-old and stands at six-feet-tall. He formerly held the WBA Regular super-lightweight title between 2019-2021. He lost the belt to Gervonta Davis in the 11th round, then was beaten again in his next fight against Keith Thurman in 2022, on points.

"One-Time" Thurman is a shared opponent, as Pacquiao defeated the 36-year-old from Florida in 2019, which remains the only loss on his otherwise impeccable record.

British boxer Amir Khan was just one of very many to voice their concerns on the potentially dangerous match-up, "I don't know how much Manny's got left in him. If they were in their prime, in their peak, then I'd say Manny Pacquiao [would win]. But this could be a tricky fight for Pacquiao."

He added, "When me and Virgil [Hunter] were training together, I used to spar with him quite a lot. He's a very good boxer.

"It's a fantastic fight for Mario, he needs that big fight. He'll be paid well and fighting a legend like Manny Pacquiao... who would say no to that? Mario deserves this fight because every fighter wants that big payday. It will be fantastic for him.