| |
|
Height no problem for Manny
By Joaquin Henson PhilBoxing.com Tue, 27 May 2025

WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios is listed anywhere between 5-9 and 6-feet but height isn’t an issue with 5-5 challenger Manny Pacquiao who faces the fighter called El Azteca in a scheduled 12-round title bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, on July 19. When Pacquiao schooled 5-11 Antonio Margarito in Arlington, Texas, in 2010, height wasn’t a problem and neither was the Mexican’s five-inch reach advantage.
MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said Barrios’ height was “up there” and didn’t seem bothered. Gibbons isn’t also worried that Pacquiao is coming off a four-year layoff. “The layoff, age----they’ll play a little bit of a factor,” he noted. “But Manny’s a veteran, knowledgeable, he knows what to do in the ring.” Barrios, 30, wasn’t even born when Pacquiao, 46, turned pro in 1995.
Gibbons was at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles when Pacquiao showed up for his first workout last week. It was the day after he flew in from Manila. “Maybe, a little jet lag but Manny looked sharp, ready to go,” he said.
Gibbons said Pacquiao’s son Jimuel may fight on the Las Vegas undercard. “It’s being discussed,” he said. “Manny asked about it. Is Jimuel ready? It’s a big, big step on a big, big stage but you gotta start somewhere. Jimuel was great in his last fight (beating Patrick Reyes on a unanimous three-round decision at the Spring Rumble card staged by Gibbons’ son Brendan in Las Vegas last April 19). He looked nice. It was a perfect spot for him, perfect place, perfect experience. He’s still green but he works hard and has the desire to do this.”
Photo: Manny Pacquiao and son Jimuel work out at the Wild Card Gym, Los Angeles (Photo by Jhay Otamias).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Open Workout: Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou Prepare For Saturday's Unification Showdown in Puerto Rico , Thu, 29 Jan 2026Cabrera-Zapata Kicks Off All Star Boxing's 2026 Season , Thu, 29 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: Cash prizes, FIDE rating at stakes this Sunday By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026IBP Fun Run & Family Day on February 15 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS , Wed, 28 Jan 2026Davao to sponsor P500K in IRONMAN 70.3 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026JOSH KELLY SOUNDS WARNING TO WORLD TITLE RIVAL BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV AS HE TARGETS HISTORIC NORTH EAST HOMECOMING , Wed, 28 Jan 2026Gallegos and Alvarez Shine Bright with Knockout Wins at Fontainebleau Las Vegas , Wed, 28 Jan 2026Pedro Carrasco Remembered in Spain 25 Years After His Passing By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026Gensan Outdoor, Gensan Educator support MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit in Mt. Apo By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026Vitor vs Subkhankulov, Tapales vs Kalsynov in Double IBF Asia Title Fights in Moscow on Feb. 13 By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026“It’s about owning my own journey” Jeanine Brown retuns for Title Clash March 13 – Thunderdome 53 , Tue, 27 Jan 2026Long Boxing Journey settles in New Bedford, MA for Junior Featherweight prospect Joshua Alvarado , Tue, 27 Jan 2026Steph Curry is 19th leading scorer of the NBA By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026Ocum is WBC Asian lightweight champ By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh Believes he will stop Jarrell Miller this Saturday at Madison Square Garden , Tue, 27 Jan 2026David Ray Sarmiento finishes second place in Cologne January Blitz 2026. By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 JANUARY 2026: Raymund Muratalla Edges Andy Cruz; Walsh Outpoints Ocampo By Eric Armit, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit at Mt. Apo on February 19-22 By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026OLYMPIC BOXING 8: 1948 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026Golden Gloves Launches on Meta Quest Store, Establishing the First Official Esports Competition Pathway for Amateur Boxing , Mon, 26 Jan 2026Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute? By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026 By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER , Sat, 24 Jan 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|