Former world champion Amir Khan has given his verdict on Manny Pacquiao’s shock return battle in opposition to Mario Barrios on July 19.
Pacquiao is ready to return for the primary time in 4 years, getting an prompt shot on the WBC World Welterweight Title. Khan has warned Pacquiao that it might have been finest for him to swerve the battle utterly.
Amir Khan Provides Verdict On Manny Pacquiao Return
It was introduced in early Might that boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was set to return to the boxing ring for the primary time in 4 years.
Pacquiao hasn’t fought since he was outpointed by Yordenis Ugas again in August 2021, and his final win within the skilled boxing ring was method again in July 2019.
Regardless of having a protracted layoff from boxing, the place he served as Senate of the Philippines for six years from 2016-2022, Pacquiao was reinstated within the prime 5 of the WBC welterweight rankings forward of a proposed battle in opposition to Mario Barrios.
This got here as an enormous shock to the boxing world, with Manny Pacquiao’s subsequent battle now formally confirmed for July 19 in opposition to Barrios for the WBC World Welterweight Title.
The eight-weight world champion will probably be a giant underdog in opposition to the Mexican champion given his inactivity, age an time away from the game.
One man who has weighed in together with his verdict on Pacquiao’s return to the ring is former world champion Amir Khan. The British fighter believes that the Filipino legend would have been finest to swerve the Barrios battle, as an alternative opting to battle fellow retired fighters comparable to Khan himself.
Though Khan isn’t an enormous fan of Pacquiao’s return, he does admit that there’s nonetheless an opportunity he might win the battle if he can roll again the years. That being mentioned, Khan does nonetheless query Pacquiao’s want at 46-years-old.
Amir Khan Predicts Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios Struggle
In addition to giving his verdict on Manny Pacquiao’s controversial return to the ring, the place ‘Pac Man’ goals to change into the oldest welterweight world champion in boxing historical past, Amir Khan has additionally predicted the battle and given his opinion on how barrios vs Pacquiao would possibly play out.
Khan has beforehand skilled alongside each Pacquiao and Barrios, additionally sharing rounds of sparring with each males. Given the actual fact he has first hand expertise within the ring with each males, albeit not an precise battle, Khan’s opinion on the Barrios vs Pacquiao battle is very revered.
In a current interview with Sky Sports activities, Khan revealed that Pacquiao would undoubtedly win the battle in his prime, however is leaning extra to Barrios given the present circumstances of each fighters:
“It’s a implausible battle for Mario, he wants that large battle. He’ll be paid properly and preventing a legend like Manny Pacquiao, who would say no to that?
“When me and Virgil [Hunter] had been coaching collectively, I used to spar with him rather a lot. He’s an excellent boxer.
“I don’t know the way a lot Manny’s obtained left in him. In the event that they had been of their prime, then I’d say all day Manny Pacquiao. However this could possibly be a tough battle for Pacquiao.
“He’s been out of the ring for a very long time and has he nonetheless obtained the hearth in his stomach? Barrios, I’m positive he’s going to return in eager to win this battle as a result of it might change his life,” Khan concluded.
Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard has lent recommendation to Manny Pacquiao forward of his shock return, and is a bit more optimistic about Pac Man’s probabilities than Khan is. Time will inform how the battle performs out on July 19 in Las Vegas!
