Manny Pacquiao misses title shot, Mario Barrios set to face different foe

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao’s plan of returning to the professional scene evaporated after targeted opponent Mario Barrios will face a different opponent in November.

Barrios, the current World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion of the world, will reportedly square off against Abel Ramos in the undercard of the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul clash to be held at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Boxing news outlets World Boxing News and Bad Left Hook were the first to update the significant event, leading to the fall off of the Pacquiao-Barrios mega fight that was in talks during the past few months.

According to multiple sources, Pacquiao, now a retired boxer, will be fighting Barrios this year, preferably, in the fall season of the United States.

Several reports already surfaced that Pacquiao showed interest in fighting Barrios but on July 24, 2024, it was confirmed that both camps already agreed to the mega bout.

Furthermore, the WBC governing body also approved of the fight, and is targeting this year to treat the thousands of boxing fans, especially the PHL fan base.

Boxing sports media outlet Boxing Scene added that Barrios’ trainer, Bob Santos, already announced that they are already all set to face Pacquiao.

With the new development in Barrios’ camp, the Manny Pacquiao (MP) Promotions spearheaded by president Sean Gibbons will seek to venture on a revised plan and is yet to issue a statement.

Since taking down Keith Thurman last 2019, Pacquiao has yet to clinch a professional boxing win, losing his last fight against Yordenis Ugas which led to his decision to retire from the sport.