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Philippines, 05 Feb 2026 |
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PACQUIAO AT L.A. PRESSCON: "I'M BACK!" By Dong Secuya PhilBoxing.com Wed, 04 Jun 2025  In the heart of downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), the buzz was undeniable. Fans, media, and boxing insiders filled the NOVO at LA Live on Thursday, all eyes on the stage where two very different men—separated by age, era, and experience—stood face-to-face for the first time. Manny Pacquiao, the beloved global icon and only eight-division world champion in boxing history, is making a return no one quite expected—but many had hoped for. At 46, with perhaps his political career behind him and a legacy already secured, Pacquiao arrived at the press conference not as a fading legend chasing one last payday, but as a man fueled once again by the fire that made him great. “I’m back,” he said with a boyish grin, his voice calm but firm. It wasn’t boastful. It was heartfelt—more declaration than announcement. Pacquiao spoke not just of a fight, but of a personal revival, a homecoming of the heart. “This is more than just boxing,” he added. “It’s something I love deeply.” If the press room expected signs of age or hesitation, they found none. The Filipino superstar was lean, relaxed, and clearly energized. He acknowledged the obvious—Mario Barrios is younger, taller, and stronger—but he dismissed the idea that it was new territory. “I’ve seen this before,” he smiled, evoking memories of past giants he toppled—Antonio Margarito, Oscar De La Hoya, and others who underestimated the storm behind his speed and angles. Barrios, just 30, stood beside him—composed, respectful, and utterly focused. Wearing the confidence of a champion but carrying the humility of a fighter who understands the moment, Barrios made it clear: he’s not here to play a role in someone else’s narrative. “I respect what Manny has done. He’s a legend,” Barrios said, his voice steady. “But I’ve worked hard for this belt. I’ve earned this moment. And I plan to keep it.” Despite their obvious differences, there was a quiet respect that passed between them—a shared understanding of what it takes to lace up the gloves at this level, to face the pressure, the pain, the stakes. Barrios didn’t talk trash. He didn’t need to. His conviction was evident. And Pacquiao, in turn, didn’t make grand promises. His presence alone was enough. The two fighters posed for photos, and the crowd took note of the size gap. Barrios, several inches taller and visibly broader, looked like the naturally bigger man. Social media would later light up with reactions, many marveling at Pacquiao’s audacity to take such a challenge at this stage. But if Pacquiao was fazed, he didn’t show it. “The ring is the same size for both of us,” he said with a shrug. Adding even more heat to the July 19 card at the MGM Grand, the undercard was spotlighted during the conference and drew nearly as much excitement. Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu will run it back in a much-anticipated rematch for the unified junior middleweight championship—an all-action sequel to their blood-and-guts thriller earlier this year. Fans still recall the moment a deep cut derailed Tszyu’s chances, and this time, both men promise closure. Then there’s Brandon Figueroa vs. Joet Gonzalez—two warriors with fan-favorite styles that almost guarantee a war—and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz taking on Jose Valenzuela in a lightweight banger with real title implications. As the press conference wrapped up and the fighters left the stage, Pacquiao didn’t linger in the spotlight. There were no late-night dinners or media parties. He headed straight to the Wild Card Gym—the same battleground where Freddie Roach molded his meteoric rise more than two decades ago. There, surrounded by his tight-knit team, Pacquiao began sparring—a reminder that while the world may see this as a comeback story, to him, it’s just another chapter in a book that isn’t finished yet. The L.A. press conference was more than hype. It was a meeting of two men standing at different crossroads: one looking to recapture magic, the other eager to forge his own legacy by toppling a titan. July 19 won’t just be about punches and titles. It will be about time, legacy, and that intangible spirit that keeps great fighters coming back for more—not because they have to, but because it’s who they are. And in Los Angeles, that story came to life. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.  |
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