August 04, 2024
Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
There had been rumors that Manny Pacquiao could be returning to professional boxing to face welterweight contender Mario Barrios. That fight is less likely given how Pacquiao looked in a recent exhibition bout — but fortunately there are still options available for Barrios.
“I always thought that was sort of a pipe dream anyway,” said Tim Smith, the vice president of communications at Haymon Sports, speaking to Kurt Emhoff on the Boxing Esq. Podcast. Al Haymon, a longtime boxing adviser, is the founder of Premier Boxing Champions.
Barrios and Pacquiao have both fought on PBC cards; Pacquiao lost in his final professional fight to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021. Barrios outpointed Yordenis Ugas for the WBC’s interim title last September and defeated Fabian Maidana this May on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez vs. Jaime Munguia.
“Barrios is tall. That would not have been pretty. That would’ve actually been pretty bad,” Smith said. “I think we can find somebody for Barrios that’s a little bit more competitive and not 45 years old. And the intriguing thing to me is a unification with [Eimantas] Stanionis. That would be more intriguing, I think, than Manny Pacquiao and Barrios.”
Stanionis doesn’t bring the star power that Pacquiao, who turns 46 in December, still would — in addition to the circus sideshow aspect that comes with an old superstar coming out of retirement. But Stanionis is an undefeated 29-year-old who has been awaiting a big opportunity, especially after several dates with Vergil Ortiz fell apart.
Stanionis, 15-0 (9 KOs), is the WBA’s “regular” titleholder by virtue of his 2022 split decision win over Radzhab Butaev. He made his first defense about two years later, also appearing on the Canelo-Munguia undercard, winning a unanimous decision over Gabriel Maestre.
If Terence Crawford vacates or is stripped of his remaining world titles at welterweight, that would elevate Barrios and Stanionis and set up the unification bout Smith suggested.
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