Manny Pacquiao Makes Major Call Ahead of Barrios Fight

Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios is scheduled for July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This much-discussed fight will headline a PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view card. Despite not being formally announced, as reported by many, including Dan Rafael, those involved have acknowledged that the fight has been agreed. Ahead of his comeback fight at 46, “Pac Man” has made a huge move and reunited with Freddie Roach for the Barrios fight.

Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios Set for July 19

Pacquiao Reunites with Legendary Trainer for Comeback

Pacquiao-Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) is due to be formally announced soon, with “Pac Man” beginning his camp following his defeat in the Filipino elections last week. The legendary eight-division world champion arrived in Los Angeles on May 18 to begin his training camp.

Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) will end his four-year retirement to challenge for the WBC welterweight title. He will open his camp at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California. Sean Gibbons, the president of Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, revealed how the reunion between Roach and Pacquiao went when talking to Fight Freaks Unite: “They haven’t seen other in four years and Manny walked into the gym and Freddie was there and there were big smiles and big hugs.”

“They chatted for a few minutes and went to work like they hadn’t missed a day. It was a like a time warp. Nobody missed a beat. It was like, ‘We’re back, we’re working, and we have a fight to prepare for.'”

Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios: Reuniting the Team

Pacquiao has not only reunited with Roach but also brought back assistant trainers Marvin Somodio and Buyboy Fernandez, along with longtime publicist and Hall of Famer Fred Sternburg.

Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios will take place just weeks after “Pac Man” is inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. Many critics argue this fight shouldn’t be happening. Pacquiao showed his age in the recent three-round exhibition bout against Rukiya Anpo, where he was thoroughly out-fought. It remains to be seen what he has left in the tank, but despite doubts, many are sure to tune in.