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Tag: Manny Pacquiao

  • “No Fighter In Boxing History Has Been Robbed More” – Fans React As Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios Goes To A Controversial Majority Draw

    “No Fighter In Boxing History Has Been Robbed More” – Fans React As Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios Goes To A Controversial Majority Draw

    Manny Pacquiao put on a solid showing for his age; however, his fight vs. Mario Barrios has a result few, if any, will be happy with.

    The WBC welterweight title fight between the two ended in a majority draw, allowing Barrios to retain the championship.

    Barrios appeared to be trying to size up Pacquiao early in the fight, while Pac-Man got to work, doing most of the landing in the opening two rounds. Barrios picked up the pace in the third, taking the lead on that round before a back-and-forth fourth round that could have fallen either way.

    Barrios found success in the fifth round with his right hand, but Pacquiao was finding the speed and still connecting well as the first half of the fight came to a close. After another close round, Pacquiao appeared to outpace Barrios over the next couple of rounds.

    Another back-and-forth 10th round was then followed by a last push from Pacquiao in the championship rounds. It would not be enough, however. Barrios would win 115-113 on one scorecard, while the remaining two judges scored the bout 114-114.

    Mario Barrios Retains WBC Title In Controversial Draw vs. Manny Pacquiao

    https://twitter.com/NewMediaSports_/status/1946787849694507032

    This was Pacquiao’s first fight since dropping the WBA welterweight title to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021.

    Barrios defeated Ugas for the interim WBC welterweight title in September 2023. Last year, he retained the title in a decision over Fabian Maidana and another controversial draw against Abel Ramos on the undercard of Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul.

  • Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios Results & Highlights (5:30PM ET)

    Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios Results & Highlights (5:30PM ET)

    For the first time in four years, Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring and attempts to win gold once again, and MMA News has you covered with all the action.

    Pacquiao is set to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Pacquiao is of course known as one of the greatest professional boxers of all time, winning world championships in eight different divisions through his career. Pacquiao’s last welterweight title win over Keith Thurman in 2019 made him the oldest welterweight champion in the sport, as well as the first four-time welterweight boxing champion — which can improve to five times with a win tonight.

    Pacquiao’s last fight came in August 2021, where he lost the WBA title to Yordenis Ugas.

    Barrios defeated Ugas in September 2023 to capture the interim WBC welterweight title. He’d defend the interim title against Fabian Maidana in May 2024 before being promoted by the WBC to full champion after Terence Crawford moved up in weight. Barrios then battled Abel Ramos to a controversial draw to retain the title against on the undercard of Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul.

    The WBC Super Welterweight Championship will be on the line in the co-feature bout of the evening in a rematch between defending champion Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu. The two first met in March 2024, with Fundora taking a split decision to win the WBO title and then-vacant WBC title.

    Fundora retained the titles over Chordale Booker in March. Tszyu, meanwhile, came up short against Bakhram Murtazaliev for the IBF light middleweight title but defeated Joseph Spencer in April.

    The Pacquiao vs. Barrios card is available on pay-per-view via both Amazon Prime and traditional cable broadcasters and will begin at 8pm ET/5pm PT. Prelims are available on Amazon Prime at 5:30pm ET/2:30pm PT. Ring walks for the main event are expected at approximately 11pm ET/8pm PT.

    If you can’t watch the action, MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights below.

    Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios Results & Highlights

    Main Card:

    • WBC Welterweight Championship: Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios goes to a majority draw (115-113 Barrios, 114-114 x2)
    • WBC Super Welterweight Championship: Sebastian Fundora def. Tim Tszyu via TKO (corner stoppage) (Rd 7, 3:00)
    • Super Lightweight: Isaac Cruz def. Omar Salcido via unanimous decision (99-89 x2, 100-88)
    • Featherweight: Brandon Figueroa def. Joet Gonzalez via unanimous decision (115-113, 116-112 x2)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Lightweight: Gary Russell Jr. def. Hugo Castaneda via TKO (R10, 0:26)
    • Super Bantamweight: David Picasso def. Kyonosuke Kameda via majority decision (95-95, 97-93, 98-92)
    • Super Featherweight: Mark Magsayo def. Jorge Mata via unanimous decision (100-90 x2, 98-92)

    Mark Magsayo vs. Jorge Mata

    David Picasso vs. Kyonosuke Kameda

    Gary Russell Jr. vs. Hugo Castaneda

    Brandon Figueroa vs. Joet Gonzalez

    Isaac Cruz vs. Omar Salcido

    Sebastian Fundora vs. Tim Tszyu

    Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios

  • Does Jake Paul Deserve Respect? Boxing Icon Manny Pacquiao Answers “He’s trying his best”

    Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has answered the question of whether or not Jake Paul deserves respect in the boxing world.

    We all know that Jake Paul is viewed as a controversial figure in the sport of professional boxing – and that much is an understatement. While he is undeniably an incredible promoter who has done wonderful things for women’s boxing in the last few years, his actual fights haven’t really garnered that much respect from the masses due to the nature of his opponents.

    Of course, money talks in a lot of instances, and Jake Paul has certainly made a lot of that. As we look ahead to his future in the sport, it definitely feels like he’s got a few more tricks up his sleeves.

    In a recent interview, Manny Pacquiao was asked about Jake Paul, and he gave a pretty interesting response.

    Manny Pacquiao praises Jake Paul

    “I respect him, you know? He’s trying his best. He’s working hard for his dream, and he wants to be a champion. So I respect that. Not everyone can do that, putting in the work, stepping in the ring… It’s not easy.”

    It’s doubtful that this is a fight we’d ever see, especially given that Pacquiao is set to return for a world title match of his own this weekend. Still, it’s a big deal to see ‘The Problem Child’ receive respect from someone of his stature, and it speaks volumes to what he’s been able to achieve thus far. Watch this space.

  • Could a Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao Rematch Happen? “Could Be Worth Billions”

    Could a Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao Rematch Happen? “Could Be Worth Billions”

    It was 10 years ago when two boxing legends — Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao — finally met in the ring for a highly-anticipated clash of boxing icons that many felt was long overdue. The fight ended up not living up to expectations, but it was had, and as years have gone on, many have felt we saw a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    Or have we?

    Boxing inside Lance Pugmire took to social media and stated that there are talks happening, after all the years, for a potential Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2.

    According to Pugmire, the fate of such negotiations continuing depends upon Pacquiao’s ability to win his comeback fight with WBC welterweight champion Marrio Barrios on July 19.

    “Was told to expect Floyd to attend with two fighters on the card,” Pugmire posted to X (fka Twitter) on July 15. “‘Conversations are already happening…if Manny wins, this could be worth billions,’ I was told.”

    Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao 2 A Possibility If Pacquiao Beats Mario Barrios?

    Negotiations for a first fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather began all the way back in late 2009, following Pacquiao’s win over Miguel Cotto and Mayweather’s win over Juan Manuel Marquez — the latter being Mayweather’s first fight in 21 months after a brief retirement in 2008-2009.

    Talks between the two sides collapsed in 2010. Mayweather and his team claimed Pacqiuao’s side were resistant to Olympic-style drug testing, while Pacquiao’s camp claimed they accepted the stipulation but Mayweather and his team were dodging the fight.

    Top Rank CEO Bob Arum attempted to bring a second round of negotiations, alongside HBO and Al Haymon, who was Mayweather’s manager and later went on to create Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) in 2015. Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe, however, claimed negotiations never took place. Despite continued disputes, more momentum and hope were slowed in 2012 with Pacquiao dropping a decision to Timothy Bradley and getting brutally knocked out by Marquez.

    Thanks to Gabriel Salvador, however, serious negotiations were re-started in mid-2014, as he brought together the likes of then-CBS head Leslie Moonves, Freddie Roach, and Bob Arum. A month after Pacquiao and Mayweather ran into each other at an NBA game, later meeting in a hotel room to iron out details, the fight was officially announced for May 2, 2015.

    Though the fight did not live up to expectations, the fight became the highest-grossing boxing pay-per-view in U.S. history with 4.6 million buys and over $410 million in revenue.

    Mayweather would go on to defeat Andre Berto later in 2015 and retire — although he came out of retirement for a superfight with then-UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor, which Mayweather won via 10th-round TKO. Pacquiao, meanwhile, went on to gain revenge on Bradley and regain the WBO welterweight title before later becoming WBA (Regular) and WBA (Super) welterweight champion. Prior to his comeback this coming weekend, Pacquiao has not fought since losing the WBA title to Yodrenis Ugas in August 2021.

    Mayweather and Pacquiao met at a music festival in 2018, and a rematch appeared to be teased but never came to fruition. Mayweather has competed in a series of exhibition bouts since, however, against the likes of Logan Paul, Tenshin Nasukawa, and John Gotti III.

  • Watch: Community Rallies Around Manny Pacquiao During Final Preparations for Las Vegas Return

    Watch: Community Rallies Around Manny Pacquiao During Final Preparations for Las Vegas Return

    Manny Pacquiao’s preparations for his July 19 comeback fight against Mario Barrios have become a public spectacle in Los Angeles. Early this week, Pacquiao was seen running through Griffith Park, trailed by a large group of fans, members of his team, and a visible LAPD presence.

    Video: Manny Pacquiao Draws Massive Crowd and Police Escort During LA Training Run

    The event, captured in widely shared video footage, highlighted the unique status Pacquiao holds in the sport and among the public. As Pacquiao moved through the park, dozens of fans ran alongside, some struggling to keep pace while others attempted to catch up or find shortcuts to meet him at various points along the route.

    Onlookers, including children and local residents, stopped to watch or join the run, turning the morning exercise into a community event. Manny Pacquiao’s accessibility and willingness to interact with fans set the scene apart from typical boxing training routines, with many in the crowd expressing excitement at getting close to the former world champion.

    Throughout the run, Pacquiao’s team managed logistics, keeping the path clear. The atmosphere was energetic but orderly, with fans occasionally stopping Pacquiao for photos or autographs.

    This public run is part of Pacquiao’s final preparations for his bout against Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The fight will see the 46-year-old Pacquiao attempt to reclaim the WBC welterweight title, a belt currently held by Barrios, who is 16 years Pacquiao’s junior. Pacquiao, already the only boxer to win world titles in eight divisions, would further extend his legacy with a victory, potentially becoming the oldest welterweight champion in history. Barrios, meanwhile, enters the fight as the defending champion, looking to solidify his standing in the division by defeating a boxing icon.

    Manny Pacquiao To End Four Year Layoff With WBC Title Shot In July
    Image: @mannypacquiao/Instagram
  • The Fight Fan’s Guide To July 19: Everything You Need To Know

    The Fight Fan’s Guide To July 19: Everything You Need To Know

    Next Saturday, July 19, is shaping up to be a memorable day filled with fights for combat sports fans everywhere.

    It sometimes can happen where fight cards will be stacked on top of one another on the same day, or even go head-to-head with each other. But only every so often do we get a day where fights will happen from one card to another throughout the day — and only every so often do we have a day of fights that are either heavily promoted, see titles on the line, or are all meaningful otherwise in some shape or way.

    We know for the obsessed fight fan that wants to see everything, a day like July 19 can be overwhelming in trying to figure out what’s going on, what’s important, and, more importantly, when and where to watch.

    Well, we here at MMA News are designing this guide here to help you put your feet up, grab your favorite foods and drinks, and watch all the action go down — from the first bell to the last!

    Everything Fight Fans Need To Know For July 19

    On July 19, the UFC and PFL will both be hosting heavily promoted cards, and the boxing world will feature a highly-anticipated title fight and the return of a legend.

    Here are — in order from the start of the day to the end — all the events going down on July 19, as well as when they start, where you can watch them, and what you need to know.

    PFL Cape Town

    Start Time: 10 am ET/7 am PT (Champions Series bouts will start at approx. 2 pm ET/11 am PT)

    Where To Watch: PFL App (PFL Africa 1) & ESPN+ (PFL Champions Series 2)

    After years of waiting, a major MMA player finally makes its way to the continent of Africa, as the PFL will host its first-ever event there with PFL Cape Town at the GrandWest Arena in Cape Town, South Africa.

    With the Bellator brand officially no more, Johnny Eblen — still considered one of the best talents in the sport outside of the UFC — will defend the newly-named PFL middleweight championship in the main event of the evening against Costello Van Steenis. Van Steenis comes into this title shot off a 2024 campaign that saw him submit Gregory Babene with a Von Flue choke at the Bellator Champions Series card in Paris and a 48-second head-kick knockout of Joao Vitor Dantas at the 2024 PFL World Championships.

    Dakota Ditcheva, the 2024 PFL women’s flyweight champion and 2023 PFL Europe women’s flyweight champion, returns in the co-main event, taking on Sumiko Inaba. The main card will also feature former Bellator light heavyweight champion Corey Anderson in action at heavyweight against 2024 PFL heavyweight champ Denis Goltsov, as well as former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee taking on Akhmed Magomedov.

    Before the five-fight Champions Series card, PFL Africa will host its first event, featuring first-round tournament matchups at heavyweight and bantamweight.

    KSW 108

    Start Time: 12pm ET/9am PT

    Where To Watch: KSWTV.com

    KSW gets a piece of the July 19 action, too, presenting KSW 108 from the Hala Urania in Olsztyn, Poland. Two noteworthy European featherweight up-and-comers do battle in the main event, as Adam Soldaev takes on Leo Brichta. Ibragim Chuzhigaev and Marcin Wójcik face off in the light heavyweight co-main event.

    Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois 2 — Undisputed Heavyweight Title Fight

    Start Time: 12:30pm ET/9:30am PT (Main event ring walks expected, per DAZN, approx. 4:50pm ET/1:50pm PT)

    Where To Watch: DAZN PPV

    For just the second time in the four-belt era of boxing, there will be an undisputed heavyweight champion, as WBA/WBC/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk faces IBF champion Daniel Dubois.

    Having been an undisputed champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight, Usyk is just one of three male boxers to win four-belt undisputed gold in two weight classes. He became the first four-belt heavyweight undisputed champion when he defeated Tyson Fury in their first encounter in May 2024 — also becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion overall since Lennox Lewis in 2000.

    With a win in this fight, Usyk would further cement his history by reclaiming the title of undisputed champion of heavyweight boxing; however, he’ll have to get past a familiar foe in Dubois.

    The two first met in August 2023, with Usyk winning by ninth-round knockout to retain the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles. The fight wasn’t without controversy, however, as Dubois and his team have disputed a fifth-round low blow call thrown by Dubois was a legal shot.

    Usyk’s reign as undisputed champion only lasted about a month, as the IBF stripped him of the title as he pursued a rematch with Fury, which Usyk went on to win this past December. That opened the door for Dubois to be promoted from interim to full-time IBF heavyweight champion.

    Dubois — also a former WBA (Regular) heavyweight champion — had won the interim IBF heavyweight belt in June 2024 with an eighth-round stoppage win over Filip Hrgović. He has since successfully defended the IBF world title once, scoring a fifth-round knockout of former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua this past September.

    UFC 318

    Start Time: Early Prelims start at 6pm ET/3pm PT. TV prelims start at 8pm ET/5pm PT. PPV Main Card begins at 10pm ET/7pm PT.

    Where To Watch: Early Prelims available on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass. TV Prelims available on ESPN and ESPN+. Main Card available on ESPN+ PPV.

    For the final time in his illustrious career, “The Diamond” will make his way to the Octagon — and he’ll do so in front of a hometown crowd.

    UFC 318’s main event will be a BMF title fight between defending champion Max Holloway and challenger Dustin Poirier, the latter of whom will be retiring following this event.

    This is the third encounter between the two men. They first met in February 2012 at UFC 143 — Holloway’s UFC debut and just his fifth professional MMA fight. Poirier scored a first-round submission of Holloway. The two would then go on to have lengthy, successful careers before they met a second time at UFC 236. This time, interim UFC lightweight gold would be on the line (it was first UFC fight at lightweight for Holloway, who was the reigning featherweight champion at the time), and Poirier won an entertaining battle by decision.

    Since then, Holloway has dropped the featherweight title but remained one of the UFC’s most entertaining and winning fighters. Poirier has fallen short three times of becoming undisputed lightweight champion, but he picked up career wins in 2021 by scoring a pair of finishes over rival Conor McGregor. Both men, in fact, come into this fight off unsuccessful title shots, with Poirier losing to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 and Holloway losing to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308.

    The BMF belt was established for Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz at UFC 244 in November 2019 but has since gone on to be occasionally defended like UFC’s sanctioned titles. Justin Gaethje knocked out Poirier to win the belt at UFC 291 in July 2023 but was knocked out in highlight fashion by Holloway for the title at UFC 300.

    Mario Barrios vs. Manny Pacquiao — WBC Welterweight Championship

    Start Time: 8pm ET/5pm PT

    Where To Watch: Prelims available on Amazon Prime Video. Main Card available on PBC PPV on Amazon Prime Video & PPV providers

    Whereas we say goodbye to one combat legend in Poirier, another legend makes his return. Legendary boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title.

    This will be Pacquiao’s first fight since losing a WBA welterweight title fight with Yordenis Ugás in August 2021. Barrios won the WBC interim title by defeating Ugás in September 2023. He retained the interim gold against Fabian Maidana and was promoted to full-time champion not long after. He defended the title once this past November, battling Abel Ramos to a draw.

    The co-main event will feature Sebastian Fundora defend the WBC and WBO super welterweight titles against Tim Tszyu.

    The card will feature three prelims, topped by the return of Gary Russell Jr. against Hugo Castaneda.

    Bonuses For The Mega Fans!

    If you’re just that fight fan that wants to soak up every minute and all the action, we’ve got some bonus bones being thrown your way!

    In addition to all the pre-fight festivities surrounding the fight cards, action gets underway on Thursday, July 17, when UFC Fight Pass airs Tuff-N-Uff 146 at 10pm ET/7pm PT. The main event will see Jamie Siraj take on Marlon Gonzales in a featherweight matchup. The card will also see Leon Shahbazyan, a Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus and the brother of UFC fighter Edmen Shahzabyan, in action against Aaron Phillips.

    Combate Global will also hold on card on Thursday, July 17, in Miami. The main event will see Jaden Ortega in welterweight action against Ivan Castillo. The event will air starting at 8pm ET/5pm PT on Combate Global’s YouTube channel. Those in the US with Samsung TV Plus can watch the action there as well.

    A pair of regional promotions will also hold events on Friday, July 18, as CFFC 144 goes down in Tampa, Florida, and Fury FC 106 takes place in New Orleans. CFFC 144 will be headlined by Auttumn Norton defending the CFFC bantamweight title against Emily Martins and Sean Mora facing Mark Grey for the vacant bantamweight title. Fury FC, meanwhile, will be headlined by Junior Maranhão taking on Artur Minev. Both cards can be watched on UFC Fight Pass.

  • Manny Pacquiao To End Four Year Layoff With WBC Title Shot In July

    Manny Pacquiao To End Four Year Layoff With WBC Title Shot In July

    Manny Pacquiao appears set to come out of retirement and lace up the gloves once more for a highly anticipated return to the boxing ring.

    On Friday, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced that Pacquiao is expected to return to active competition after a four-year hiatus, with plans to face reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. The bout is rumored to take place on July 19 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    https://twitter.com/OnTheRecordBox/status/1918277882146623660

    Sulaiman explained that under WBC rules, a former champion of Pacquiao’s caliber is allowed to come out of retirement and immediately compete for a title. He further revealed that the 46-year-old Filipino boxing legend has already received medical clearance from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

    “Pac Man” was last seen in the ring in August 2021, where he endured a grueling unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugás in their WBA super welterweight title bout. His most recent victory came in July 2019, when he edged out Keith Thurman via split decision in a hard-fought battle nearly six years ago.

    Pacquiao assumed office as a senator in June 2016, following a successful campaign in that year’s national elections. He held the position until 2022, stepping away from legislative duties to launch a presidential bid in the Philippines.

    The former multi-division world champion boasts a storied professional record of 62-8-2, with 39 of those wins coming by knockout. “Pac Man” is also set to receive one of boxing’s highest honors when he is officially inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame this June in Canastota, New York.

    Meanwhile, Barrios was elevated to WBC welterweight champion in 2023 after Terence Crawford vacated the belt to move up in weight. “El Azteca” last competed in November, appearing on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event. In his first title defense, the 29-year-old American went the distance with Abel Ramos, earning a tightly contested draw that allowed him to retain the championship.

    Barrios is currently riding a four-fight win streak, with a professional record of 29-2-1 and 18 wins by knockout.