Garcia Squares Up To Pacquiao – ‘R1 KO’

Once things settled down, Garcia went on stage to greet Manny as they had a face-off. While a fight is unlikely, Sean Gibbons (manager of Manny’s promotional company) has suggested previously that a Garcia fight would be appealing. 

“Technically he’s out of retirement. He would love to fight Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia. He’s got about a year left. He just wants to fight. Manny feels that he’s in tremendous shape. He’s training for this exhibition but hopefully that will lead to something bigger and better. I do [see a pro return for Pacquiao],” Gibbon said

Pacquiao’s Future

Nevertheless, the Barrios fight is the main aim. A win makes Pacquiao the oldest welterweight champion of all time. He would break his record when he defeated Keith Thruman to win the WBA Welterweight Title at 40. There are natural risks in making a comeback. Father time catches up with everyone. It is tough to see how Manny could beat Barrios based on his last pro-fight. He lost to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.

Since that defeat, Manny has only had one exhibition. He faced DK Yoo and won a unanimous decision. Barrios has been the more active fighter and has already beaten Ugas. Although styles make fights, Barrios is entering his prime. His only losses have come against Thurman and Gervonta Davis. Meanwhile, he has won his last three fights, taking his record to 29-2 with 18 KOs. But if the fight is to get made, Gibbons feels it has to happen by the end of the year. 

“It’s a 50-50 fight but a very winnable fight for Manny. Barrios is the perfect fighter. He has the right style because he’s there to be hit and he brings it. He wants to mix it up. Over the next month or so, we’ll either be able to make the fight or won’t. … It’s very important to get a fight in by December. This is a very important time right now. We have a very short window. This could be the last year because Manny might run for office next year in the Philippines,” Gibbons stated