Philippines, 30 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Buhain: Pacquiao by KO in Seven


PhilBoxing.com


Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Eric Buhain doesn't think Marco Antonio Barrera will last 11 rounds against Manny Pacquiao this time, predicting that the revered Filipino sports hero will terminate the "Baby-Faced Assasin" from Mexico within seven rounds.

Buhain, who served as head of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) before taking over the reins of GAB two years ago, is in town to oversee how far Pacquiao has gone through with his training in preparation for his October 6 rematch with Barrera at the Mandalay Bay Hotel Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Buhain was all praises for the work ethics of Pacquiao, leaving no doubt in his mind the Pacman will tame Barrera anew in more convincing fashion.

"Manny Pacquiao will definitely win. He has the confidence of being in the advantage coming from their previous encounter. I think he's more prepared psychologically. He knows he's the guy to beat," said Buhain. "But I know Manny as being a very professional guy. Despite knowing he's the topdog, he's still here grinding it out."

When pressed on his fearless forecast, Buhain answered: "Manny will win by knockout, of course."

Buhain was obviously referring to the number of rounds Pacquiao brutally dismantled Barrera during their first bout on November 16, 2003 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

"I don't think Barrera will last 11 rounds against Pacquiao this time. Pacquiao most probably will finish off Barrera on or before the seventh round. Seven is the number to look at," said Buhain.

"Manny's power is there. Physically, he looks very, very sharp. It's going to be a good fight though. I just hope Barrera won't get hurt too much," added the former swimming Olympian in jest.

Buhain, on the other hand, said that Pacquiao's training here is one of the best things that ever happened to Cebu boxing.

"What happened here in Cebu is a welcome for the community in general. This is the first time we see how our Pacman trains. I believe some of Cebu's boxing aficionados have also learned a lot from being able to see and witness what Manny is doing," said Buhain.

Meanwhile, Buhain said everything is in place with regards to the country's hosting of the 45th World Boxing Council (WBC) Convention set from November 11 to 17 at the Manila Hotel.

"So far, everything is on schedule. Right now there's 300 individuals who have made reservations already and it's still two months to go. I expect probably a thousand participants who will be part of the 45th WBC Convention in Manila," said Buhain.

Buhain bared some boxing greats who are expected to grace the annual event in the likes of Mike Tyson, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Ken Norton, Erik Morales, Oscar de la Hoya, Julio Cesar Chavez, and Roberto Duran.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel B. Villaruel.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • ‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Flores vs. Castillo’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Legendary Panamanian Juan Carlos Tapia will be inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Leuenbergers to join IRONMAN® 70.3 Davao
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Open Workout: Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou Prepare For Saturday's Unification Showdown in Puerto Rico
    , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • Cabrera-Zapata Kicks Off All Star Boxing's 2026 Season
    , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: Cash prizes, FIDE rating at stakes this Sunday
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • IBP Fun Run & Family Day on February 15
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Davao to sponsor P500K in IRONMAN 70.3
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • JOSH KELLY SOUNDS WARNING TO WORLD TITLE RIVAL BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV AS HE TARGETS HISTORIC NORTH EAST HOMECOMING
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gallegos and Alvarez Shine Bright with Knockout Wins at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Pedro Carrasco Remembered in Spain 25 Years After His Passing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gensan Outdoor, Gensan Educator support MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit in Mt. Apo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Vitor 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 2026
  • Long Boxing Journey settles in New Bedford, MA for Junior Featherweight prospect Joshua Alvarado
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Steph Curry is 19th leading scorer of the NBA
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Ocum is WBC Asian lightweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh Believes he will stop Jarrell Miller this Saturday at Madison Square Garden
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • David Ray Sarmiento finishes second place in Cologne January Blitz 2026.
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.