Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios have met for the first time since their fight was made official.
The Filipino boxing legend hasn’t competed professionally since suffering a unanimous decision defeat to Yordenis Ugas for the WBA welterweight title in August 2021.
If victorious against Barrios, Pacquiao would become the oldest welterweight world champion in history, having set the record himself in 2019 when he defeated Keith Thurman at the age of 40.
Some fans have expressed their concern about the upcoming fight, believing that Pacquiao is too old to be taking on Barrios, who has held the WBC welterweight title for the past year and made his first defence with a draw against Abel Ramos in November.
Pacquiao and Barrios met on Saturday for the launch press conference to formally announce the bout, squaring off for the first time and showing a significant size difference between the two men.
It only helped to generate further concern from some of those worried boxing fans, who believe that the size difference shows that ‘Pac-Man’ may struggle to compete with Barrios.
FIRST FACE-OFF 👀
Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios
Predictions? 🤔#Boxing#PacquiaoBarriospic.twitter.com/jl2xkIOqb5
— Fight Hub TV (@FightHubTV) May 31, 2025
One fan claimed that the face-off shows that ‘Manny’s gonna get hurt’ – while another described the fight as being ‘lightweight vs welterweight.’
Some of boxing’s biggest names have also made their predictions known ahead of the fight, with former world champion Amir Khan sharing his view after previously sparring both men.
