Manny Pacquiao admits a Gervonta Davis fight interests him, but he has to get through Mario Barrios on July 19 first.
Pacquiao is willing to give Davis first crack at the WBC welterweight title if he can successfully maneuver past Barrios at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
World Boxing News broke the news first, exclusively, as Pacquiao’s advisor Sean Gibbons revealed the fight was part of Pacquiao’s comeback plan.
Gibbons said on Pacquiao vs Tank from the Wild Card Gym, “It took a roundabout way, Phil, but we got here. We would have liked Conor Benn and would have liked Gervonta Davis, but Manny Pacquiao had one thing in mind (to win a world title).
“He started with the WBC world title, which was his first belt (WBC flyweight). This will be an amazing full-circle moment to win another WBC belt, and it won’t be his last.
“When he beats Mario Barrios, line them up. His dream fight is Gervonta Davis. He loves that fight. He tried to get that fight for a couple of years. Gervonta kept talking about how he didn’t want to fight him at 145. Then he goes and gets smoked by Lamont Roach.
“So Manny Pacquiao can get this belt, and it’s going to be a wonderful ride out,” he added.
Asked directly at the press conference if the fight is on his hitlist, Pacquiao was coy but confirmed WBN’s story was accurate.
I like that (fighting Tank), but let’s finish this one first. This one is taller and a champion, so I have a lot of things to do in training camp,” he told Fight Hub TV.
On facing Barrios, he added, “Barrios is the kind of fighter who gives people good fights. Me and him together in the ring will satisfy the fans. That’s what I want.”
Pacquiao vs Barrios presser Ryan Hafey What winning the world title at 46 would mean to him, the ‘Pac-Man’ stated, “It would mean a lot to me to become world champion again.
“Manny Pacquiao is always giving surprises to the fans. That’s my passion, and it’s really important to me. I want everyone to be happy with this fight.
“My goal is to leave a legacy for the boxing fans. I want to inspire the young generation who dream of becoming champions (later in their careers).”
Pacquiao has already done that, as his induction to the International Boxing Hall of Fame will reiterate this weekend.
Winning world titles in seven weight classes and a lineal crown in an eighth is an unprecedented feat for any boxer.
Beating Barrios would be the icing on the cake. However, as always with Manny Pacquiao, it could be a rollercoaster ride that ends in sadness.
