| |
|
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:
2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Set to Compete at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria , Sun, 22 Feb 2026SMEP, SAEP round 6 standoff in PTC WED NEMO 4th D’ Engineers Chess Cup By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 22 Feb 2026Late Valentine’s gift for Lover Boy By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026“Prince” Albert Pagara Heads to Perth, Australia, for WBC Australasia Title Fight By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026BARRIOS vs GARCIA (FIGHT ANALYSIS) By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026FLOYD MAYWEATHER UNRETIRES , Sat, 21 Feb 2026WBC Introduces new award "WBC Main Event" world championship Chain & Pendant By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026WOOD-WARRINGTON II OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR SOLD-OUT REMATCH IN NOTTINGHAM , Sat, 21 Feb 2026"Rompete la Madre" documentary is now in the Mexican theaters By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026A Massive Weekend Ahead for Renowned Trainer Bob Santos , Sat, 21 Feb 2026Barrios vs Garcia: Where Art Thou Ryan Garcia? By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Pacman bout details revealed By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026IIEE to defend Billiard crown in PTC World 2026, World Champ Magpantay is PSA Awardee By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Wood-Warrington II Press Conference Quotes: Everything that Was Said Ahead of Saturday's Sold-Out Rematch in Nottingham , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Opponents for Rising Stars Jimuel Pacquiao Jr. and Curmel Moton on Feb. 28 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Rising Star Promotions Returns to Prudential Center April 10 LIVE ON PROBOX TV , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Sante Barley Trilogy Leg 1 on March 29 in Azuela By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Team Rapid chess tourney goes to Pasay City on March 8 By Marlon Bernardino By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 20263rd Horse Show & competition scheduled on February 21-22 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026Robinsons Bacolod Chess Festival set By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando , Thu, 19 Feb 2026Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia , Thu, 19 Feb 2026BREAKING NEWS: DAZN AND MATCHROOM BOXING SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR DEAL , Thu, 19 Feb 202675 climbers start trekking to Mt. Apo today , Thu, 19 Feb 20264 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Thu, 19 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|