By REY C. LACHICA
Will Manny Pacquiao be like Michael Jordan?
In1995, Jordan, known as MJ and arguably the greatest NBA player of all time, made his famous two-word statement “I’m back” after a 17-month break following the death of his father.
Well, Pacquiao hopes to do the same as he tries to put another chapter to an already illustrious career when he battles reigning titlist Mario Barrios of Mexico for the World Boxing Council welterweight title in a 12-round fight on Sunday (Manila time)
And like Jordan, Pacquiao declared this with the enthusiasm and bravado of a 25-year champion.
But he’s already 46.
Worry not if one is to believe his rah-rah boys as he climbs onto the ring of the MGM Grand Garden Arena which has been too kind for the Filipino legend.
The former senator from Gen. Santos City has fought 22 times in Sin City, including 15 at the MGM Grand.
”Those four years that I retired I really missed boxing. It’s good for my body. I was able to rest for four years because I had been in boxing for so many decades,” said Pacquiao, who will return to the ring carrying 62 wins, including 39 knockouts, with eight defeats and two draws.
”I know the fans are waiting for a good fight, and I know Barrios is working hard. Our job is to entertain and give our fans a good fight,” he added.
Even Pacquiao himself assured everyone that he’s ready, claiming the power and speed are still his lethal weapons.
”The power and speed are still there. The fire in my eyes is still there. Now that I’m back, I’m really excited to fight and I’m hungry to win again,” said the 5-foot-7 Pacquiao during Saturday’s weigh-in also at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Against the 6-foot, 30-year-old Barrios?
Pacquiao thinks so.
“Boxing is my passion and I missed boxing,” added Pacquiao who tipped the scale at 146.8lbs.
Dressed in a whiteTeam Pacquiao jacket and black track pants, Pacquiao looks razor-sharp.
If he succeeds, Pacquiao will become the second oldest boxer to seize a world title after Bernard Hopkins.
Hopkins won a light heavyweight title in the twilight of his career at 49 years old.
”I will approach it the same way that I did in previous fights. Manny has accomplished so much, but it’s my time now and I’m gonna show that come Saturday,” said Barrios, who compiled 29 wins in 32 fights, highlighted by 18 knockouts and tainted by two losses and a draw.
Former world champion Mark Magsayo faces Jorge Mata of Mexico in a 10-round super-featherweight clash prior to the Pacquiao-Barrios main dish.
Also serving as an aperitif is the eight-round middleweight battle between Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial and American Bernard Joseph.
Pacquiao, who dropped a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in 2021 that prompted him to retire, is reportedly set to receive $5 million to $10 million for the fight.
A Pacquiao victory would usher him as the first active fighter to capture a world title after being immortalized in boxing’s Hall of Fame.
Pacquiao has been highly regarded as the ”Mexican Slayer,” having defeated Mexicans Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Antonio Margarito, Oscar Larios, Hector Velasquez, Emmanuel Lucero and Oscar Dela Hoya, so beating the Filipino will be sweet for Barrios. (With a report from June Navarro)
