Manny Pacquiao says he has “two or three fights” left in him as he seems to say the WBC welterweight world title with victory over Mario Barrios.
Pacquiao will combat Barrios on July 19 on the MGM Grand Las Vegas after the WBC controversially granted him a straight shot at Barrios’ world title on this comeback combat.
The 46-year-old returns from a four-year lay-off and makes an attempt to interrupt his personal file by turning into the oldest welterweight champion in boxing historical past.
The previous senator and presidential candidate in his native Philippines hasn’t gained since he boxed Keith Thurman in 2019, his final combat a sound loss to Yordenis Ugas again in 2021.
He ran to reclaim a seat within the Senate this 12 months, however completed 18th within the midterm elections, shortly confirming he can be making a return to the ring thereafter.
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Pacquiao exhibits he is nonetheless obtained his lightning pace, as he trains forward of his comeback combat the place he may break his personal file because the oldest world welterweight champion. Credit score: @mannypacquiao
Now, Pacquiao is “all in” on his likelihood to carry a world title as soon as once more and believes he has the “power” to maintain boxing for years to come back.
“This combat is essential to me as a result of it is historical past. I consider I would be the primary Corridor of Famer to win one other world title, and I would additionally break my very own file because the oldest welterweight world champion,” Pacquiao stated.
“Once I retired in 2021, it wasn’t feeling as a result of I had it in my coronary heart and my thoughts that I can nonetheless combat. I’ve all the time recognized that I may nonetheless work onerous and dedicate myself and give attention to coaching. I’ve rested and now I am again.
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A glance again to 2009 when Pacquiao landed one of many cleanest left arms ever to knock out Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas
“I really feel quick and I really feel just like the power continues to be there. I can nonetheless do what I’ve finished earlier than in coaching. If something, my workforce proper now could be attempting to gradual me down and ensuring I get sufficient relaxation. I nonetheless need to push myself each day, however I do know that I’ve to hearken to my workforce.
“I feel I’ve two or three extra fights left. I really feel like I may do that for one more couple of years. However I am simply taking it one after the other.
“I had numerous distractions and issues earlier than the Yordenis Ugas combat. However proper now I am 100 per cent and there are not any distractions. I am simply coaching and fully targeted on the combat.”
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The most effective rounds of the 12 months? Watch again the epic twelfth spherical between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn
Intriguingly, Conor Benn is eligible to problem the winner of the Pacquiao-Barrios.
Benn misplaced to Chris Eubank Jr at middleweight and is anticipated to rematch his rival later this 12 months.
However that will not rule him out of difficult for the WBC belt at 147lbs, regardless of not boxing within the division for a number of years and shedding his most up-to-date combat.
“He’s ranked by the WBC, Eubank is also ranked by the WBC, totally different weight classes. It’s as much as him (Benn). Proper now if he is doing a rematch, then he is not going to problem for the WBC for a while however he is eligible,” WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman instructed Sky Sports activities.
