Manny Pacquiao came up short when he challenged Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title in July, but the Filipino icon has advised Ryan Garcia on what he must do to overcome ‘El Azteca’.
‘Pac-Man’ secured a controversial title shot when he returned to action to take on Barrios, despite being winless for six years, attempting to break his own record as the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history.
However, after a spirited attempt, Pacquiao could only muster a draw on the scorecards, although many fans felt as though boxing’s only eight-division world champion had done enough to pull off the upset.
Now, after holding the belt for 20 months, Barrios seeks a first win in a title contest since 2019, having been upgraded to world champion in June 2024 and drawing in both of his defences since.
He takes on Garcia, but does so as a sizeable underdog, irrespective of Garcia’s defeat to WBA welterweight champion Rolando Romero last time out – a fight where ‘King Ry’ had been expected to finally get his hands on a world title.
Speaking with FightHype.com, Pacquiao informed Garcia that he must put in the hard yards before his showdown with Barrios if he is to get his hand raised.
“It’s a good fight, Ryan must train hard [to get the win].”
Barrios-Garcia takes place next Saturday, with two additional world title bouts scheduled to take place on the undercard.
It is understood that WBC mandatory challenger Benn will be next for the victor of the main-event, as he gears up to return to the 147lb division after a four-year absence from the weight.