| |
|
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:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION MAY 26 2025: Willibaldo Garcia, Terri Harper, Pedro Taduran and Angelo Leo Register Wins in World Title Fights By Eric Armit, , Tue, 27 May 2025Why split decision for Taduran? By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 27 May 2025Oklahoma Nips Minnesota, 128-126 for 3-1 Series Lead; T-Wolves Lose Despite Better Stats By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 27 May 2025Height no problem for Manny By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 27 May 2025IBF Could Spoil Planned Taduran-Collazo Fight By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 27 May 2025Tiauson rules Bulan, Sorsogon Open Rapid chess tourney; pockets P10,000 By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 27 May 2025HITCHINS AND KAMBOSOS JR. LAY THEIR ‘CARDS ON THE TABLE’ AHEAD OF NY SHOWDOWN , Tue, 27 May 2025New York Finally Wins One, On the Road; Comes Back to Defeat Indiana, 106-100 By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 26 May 2025IBA launches Normalisation Committee with immediate effect to address the ongoing concerns in African Boxing Confederation , Mon, 26 May 2025Filipino Louie Salvador makes his mark again by ruling Thailand Rapid chess By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 26 May 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 4 - MUHAMMAD ALI WINS SUPERFIGHT II By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 26 May 2025Minnesota Timberwolves Rout OKC, 143-101, Get Back in the West Finals Series, 1-2 By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 25 May 2025CM Romy Fagon Champ in IIEE Baguio Chess Tournament By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 25 May 2025Going Back to Indiana, Get Ready With the Brooms? Minnesota Hopes to Bounce Back at Home Vs OKC By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 25 May 2025PEDRO TADURAN RETAINS IBF TITLE WITH SPLIT DECISION VICTORY OVER GINJIRO SHIGEOKA IN OSAKA (PHOTOS) By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 24 May 2025It's Both 2-0 in the NBA East and West Finals - Can Indiana and Oklahoma Still be Stopped? By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 24 May 2025Usmonov Stops Pagara in 3 in Title Fight in Tajikistan By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 24 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES TWO HIGH-STAKES SUPPORTING BOUTS FOR CLARESSA SHIELDS’ UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT , Sat, 24 May 2025Taylor vs. Essuman & Leo vs. Kameda Preview and Picks By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 23 May 2025WEIGHTS FROM JAPAN: TADURAN - 104.5 LBS., SHIGEOKA - 104.9 LBS. By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 23 May 2025Suelo rules Thailand Open Rapid Chess tourney By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 23 May 2025Magsayo fights on Manny undercard By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 May 2025Jessie Villasin chess tournament on June 8 By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 23 May 2025Olympic medalists Elor, Dake among 16 World Team Trials champions qualified for 2025 Final X in Newark, N.J. , Fri, 23 May 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 3 - FRAZIER WINS FIGHT OF THE CENTURY BY UNANIMOUS DECISION By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 22 May 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|