World Boxing News gained the views of Bob Santos, trainer of Mario Barrios, regarding a potential fight with Manny Pacquiao.
WBN broke the news of Pacquiao vs Barrios, which has since hit other media outlets this weekend, exclusively on June 1. MP Promotions’ Sean Gibbons outlined his intentions to lobby the World Boxing Council for a welterweight title fight. – If you use these WBN quotes, please link back to the source: https://www.worldboxingnews.net/2024/06/09/exclusive-mario-barrios-coach-manny-pacquiao-fight/
Barrios, who is the interim WBC champion, is likely to be elevated in the coming weeks. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has since told WBN that the sanctioning body would consider allowing Pacquiao to challenge for the green and gold despite three years out and a loss in his last fight against Yordenis Ugas.
Pacquiao’s status as a boxing legend and the fact the Filipino superstar is only planning one more professional bout would see the WBC look favorably upon the request. As Sulaiman pointed out to WBN, special dispensation has happened before when Sugar Ray Leonard embarked on a comeback after ending his retirement in 1987 to challenge Marvin Hagler for the middleweight title. Leonard had been out three years, similar to Pacquiao, but his status in the sport allowed for a WBC exception in the case. – If you use these WBN quotes, please link back to the source: https://www.worldboxingnews.net/2024/06/09/exclusive-mario-barrios-coach-manny-pacquiao-fight/
The same conditions would apply to Pacquiao, who now knows Barrios on his team are on board.
“I think it’s great anytime your name can be mentioned with Manny Pacquiao. That’s always a good thing,” coach Santos told World Boxing News in an exclusive interview.
“I think it would be a tremendous fight for the fans. Pacquiao always keeps himself in great shape, as does Barrios. Styles make fights and I think it would be a tremendous fight. The one thing about Pacquiao is that he always keeps himself in great shape. Never see him overweight; therefore, guys like him can last a long, long time.” – If you use these WBN quotes, please link back to the source: https://www.worldboxingnews.net/2024/06/09/exclusive-mario-barrios-coach-manny-pacquiao-fight/
