| |
|
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:
YAFAI VS. RODRIGUEZ + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES , Fri, 20 Jun 2025Press Conference Notes: Vito Mielnicki Jr. Set for Homecoming Versus Kamil Gardzielik , Fri, 20 Jun 2025DUARTE VS. SIMS JR. TICKETS GO ON SALE TOMORROW, FRIDAY, JUNE 20TH , Fri, 20 Jun 2025Day Three Finalized at the 2025 USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival , Fri, 20 Jun 2025Normel De Jesus rules IIEE Central Luzon Region leg chess tilt By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Jun 2025Thanongsak Simsri Edges Christian Araneta by Split Decision, Claims IBF 108 World Title; Could Vayson Be Simsri's First Challenger? By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 19 Jun 2025Tokyo Fist: Brian Norman Jr. KOs Jin Sasaki to Retain Welterweight Crown , Thu, 19 Jun 2025Araneta Scores Knockdown But Loses Title Bid to Simsri by Split Decision By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 19 Jun 2025Indiana Must Control Jalen Williams, Challenge at Slot to Extend Series By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 19 Jun 2025Pacquiao vs. Barrios: Intensity Builds as Barrios Warns of Bad Intentions, Potential Future Fights, and Expert Takes Dominate News Cycle By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 19 Jun 2025Tickets On Sale Now for “Night of Champions” July 18 Live on DAZN from Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando , Thu, 19 Jun 2025Undefeated Boxer Dante Kirkman Makes History as First Pro Fighter to Graduate from Stanford University , Thu, 19 Jun 2025USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Day Two Concludes , Thu, 19 Jun 2025WBC Legends of Boxing Museum reopens on June 22 in Los Angeles By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 18 Jun 2025AFBC Extraordinary Congress declared invalid: Former Board's authority nullified , Wed, 18 Jun 2025Winners of 2025 UTP Elite Eight Playoffs Named; 18 Junior Tennis Standouts to Represent PH in International Tournament By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Jun 2025Weights from Tokyo: Christian Araneta 107.6, Thanongsak Simsri 107.1 for Vacant IBF Light Flyweight World Title By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 18 Jun 2025Weigh-In Results: Brian Norman Jr. vs. Jin Sasaki , Wed, 18 Jun 2025CLARESSA SHIELDS VS. LANI DANIELS PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES , Wed, 18 Jun 2025Brian Norman Jr.: "This Championship Belt Means Everything to Me!" , Wed, 18 Jun 2025Julian Gonzalez Takes on Former World Title Challenger Jason Sanchez in Main Event on Friday, June 27th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia , Wed, 18 Jun 2025IBA reaffirms its commitment to good governance and stability in Africa , Wed, 18 Jun 2025Day One of the USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Concludes , Wed, 18 Jun 2025The Past Week in Action 16 June 2025: Hitchins Stops Kambosos; Wins by Andy Cruz and Teremoana; Donaire Returns By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Jun 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 9 - MUHAMMAD ALI WINS WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 17 Jun 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|