Renowned trainer says it's ‘possible’ for Manny Pacquiao to beat Mario Barrios
The 'Pac Man' challenges Barrios for the WBC Welterweight title on July 19
An esteemed trainer has said it's ‘possible’ for Manny Pacquiao to defeat Mario Barrios and become a world champion again.
Robert Garcia, who won Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year in 2024, believes there is a chance Pacquiao could cause a massive upset on July 19 and overcome Barrios to capture the WBC Welterweight title.
Despite being 46 years old, Pacquiao will return to the ring for the first time in four years since losing via unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas.
Speaking to Sean Zittel, Robert Garcia said: “It’s been done before. [George] Foreman did it, [Bernard] Hopkins did it, [Sugar Ray] Leonard came back also did it after a long retirement.
“Is it possible? Yeah. Does he have the talent to do it? Yeah. Was he one of the best fighters of all time? Yeah. So, we could see him pull it off.”
Pacquiao is the only eight-division world champion in history, claiming wins over fighters such as Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Antonio Margarito, Timothy Bradley Jr, Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman.
However, before Ugas, the ‘Pac Man’ fought twice in 2019, having a total of three bouts in the last six years.
Garcia continued: “I don’t see it happening. When we were against Pacquiao in his prime, you couldn’t have a gameplan. Pacquiao was just unbelievable. There was no way you could have found a sparring partner that matched him.
“There was nothing you could do or like Marquez did, land a perfect punch and knock him out. Besides that, you have to be tough, like Morales brought him into a war. At this point Barrios needs to make him fight and I don’t think Pacquiao goes twelve rounds.”
Barrios defeated Yordenis Ugas with a wide decision in September 2023 to attain the WBC Interim Welterweight World title.
This was before he outpointed Fabian Andres Maidana in May 2024 and was then elevated to full WBC Champion on June 18, 2024.
Yet the Mexican American is viewed by many as the weakest champion in the 147 lbs division, inferior to WBA (Super) and IBF Champion Jaron Ennis as well as WBO Champion Brian Norman Jr, especially after Barrios suffered a split decision draw to Abel Ramos last December.
“If Barrios starts off slow and tries to fight smart, then that could give Pacquiao the advantage. I think Barrios should go out there and try to make it a fight.”
Nevertheless, Barrios is 16 years younger than Pacquiao and will have a five and half inch height advantage when he takes on the legend, according to Boxrec.
