Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios both made weight on Friday ahead of their WBC welterweight title clash at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas report Boxingscene. The 46-year-old Pacquiao weighed in at 146.8 pounds, while Barrios came in at 146.2, setting the stage for Pacquiao’s return to the ring after four years.
A win would make Pacquiao just the third fighter to claim a world title past the age of 45, joining Bernard Hopkins and George Foreman. Barrios, who stands six feet tall, enters as the betting favourite and is expected to rely on his size, jab and power. His trainer, Bob Santos, said Barrios will look to control the fight and drag Pacquiao into “deep waters” if a stoppage doesn’t come in the middle rounds.
The co-main event features a WBC junior-middleweight title bout between champion Sebastian Fundora (152.6 pounds) and former WBO champion Tim Tszyu (153.2 pounds). Fundora is making his second title defence since his bloody win over Tszyu in March.
Former two-division champion Brandon Figueroa also returns, weighing in at 126 pounds to face three-time title challenger Joet Gonzalez, who came in at 125.
Earlier in the day, Angel Fierro withdrew from his scheduled bout against Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz. Cruz (138.2 pounds) will now face Omar Salcido (139.4), who stepped in on short notice.
Former Pacquiao opponent Keith Thurman, now waiting for the Fundora-Tszyu winner, expressed concern over the Filipino’s long layoff but noted Barrios’ lack of defensive prowess could give the veteran opportunities.
“He’ll find pockets,” Thurman said. “But it’s a dangerous fight after so long out.”
Pacquiao fights at the MGM Grand for the 16th time in what could be a historic night.
Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
