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Sugar Ray Leonard Has No Doubt Who Was Better Between Prime Floyd Mayweather And Manny Pacquiao

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao faced each other in the ‘Fight Of The Century’ ten years ago.

After years of speculation, the former pound-for-pound stars locked horns on Saturday May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas to battle it out for the WBC, WBA and WBO world welterweight titles.

Despite the hype surrounding the monumental showdown, the fight itself failed to live up to its extraordinary expectations on the night, with fans and pundits alike expressing their disappointment. After an underwhelming twelve rounds, Mayweather was declared the winner via unanimous decision to unify three of the four welterweight titles.

With the boxing world often divided on who was actually a better fighter between prime versions of Mayweather and Pacquiao, the legendary Sugar Ray Leonard has spoken out and revealed who he believes was the greater fighter.

Speaking to Dontaes Boxing Nation, Leonard made no mistake in giving praise to ‘Money’ Mayweather, ranking him as a better fighter than Pacquiao.

“Fundamentally speaking, Floyd’s on top, he’s sound. I love Pacquiao, he’s been blessed with incredible hand speed and power as he moved up in weight, they both have been blessed with rare qualities.”

Mayweather drew the curtain on his career just two years after he got the better of Pacquiao, defeating MMA legend Conor McGregor in their huge crossover battle in 2017, retiring from boxing with a perfect unbeaten record of 50-0.

‘Pac-Man’ went on to announce his retirement from boxing in 2021, but has recently confirmed he will be making a sensational return to the sport on July 19 when he faces WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios in Las Vegas.

Manny Pacquiao Sends 4 Word Warning To Gervonta Davis As He Targets ‘Dream’ Fight After Barrios

Manny Pacquiao is just weeks away from making a sensational return to the sport at 46-years-old.

The Filipino icon will challenge reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao last fought back in 2021 when he was beaten by former WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas, but the 46-year-old has now set his sights on becoming the oldest welterweight champion of all time.

With rumours circulating that ‘Pac-Man’ is also considering facing lightweight star Gervonta Davis, the Filipino great revealed in an interview with Seconds Out that he would be willing to fight anybody’ including WBA lightweight champion Davis, stating he’s ‘not scared of anybody’.

“I can fight anybody, even like Gervonta Davis … I’m not scared of anybody.”

In a separate interview with World Boxing News, Pacquiao’s promoter Sean Gibbons claimed that a showdown with ‘Tank’ Davis would be a dream fight for the 46-year-old, should he be victorious over Barrios next month.

“When he beats Mario Barrios, line them up. His dream fight is Gervonta Davis. He loves that fight. He tried to get that fight for a couple of years. Gervonta kept talking about how he didn’t want to fight him at 145. Then he goes and gets smoked by Lamont Roach. So Manny Pacquiao can get this belt, and it’s going to be a wonderful ride out.”

Davis is expected to face Lamont Roach Jr in a rematch later this year, after their March showdown ended in controversy following a closely fought contest at the Barclays Center in New York which was declared a split decision draw.

Manny Pacquiao didn’t mince words when discussing his advantages over Mario Barrios.

In 48 days, 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao will step into the ring for a professional fight for the first time since 2021, when he lost a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas. This will be to fight 30-year-old Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight belt in Las Vegas, Nevada.

While there is a lot of skepticism about whether Pacquiao should be fighting at all, given his age, most agree that Pacquiao could have picked a more dangerous opponent than Barrios. While he is a reigning champion of a prestigious belt, the general sentiment is that Barrios is a relatively beatable champion.

And while Barrios does have 18 KOs on his professional fight record (which is 29-2-1 and includes losses to Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman), there does seem to be some holes in his game that Pacquiao (who will be the smaller boxer come fight night) could exploit if he’s able to re-find a former version of himself.

Many believe that Pacquiao’s best shot at beating Barrios is with a knockout, as punching power is typically the last thing to leave an aging boxer. However, Pacquiao believes he has another advantage over his adversary, which he revealed when speaking with the media.

“I think I’m faster than him. Definitely,” Pacquiao said when asked whether he thinks he’s perfectly suited to face Barrios, per a YouTube video from FightHype. “My movement, my speed is still there. Nothing goes, movement and speed. I can also still develop it… I still have that.”

Pacquiao was known for his blistering speed during his prime, which was a huge reason he amassed 62 professional wins, 39 KOs, 12 world titles, and became the only eight-division world champion in the history of boxing.

Fans will have to wait until July 19 to see whether Pacquiao truly has a speed advantage over Barrios; and if he does, whether he can turn that into a victory.

Top Trainer Robert Garcia Has No Doubt Who Wins Manny Pacquiao vs Barrios: “I Have To Pick Him”

Manny Pacquiao is set to make a sensational comeback to boxing in less than two months.

After a four year hiatus, it was announced earlier this month the 46-year-old from the Philippines will face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

It will be Pacquiao’s first ring appearance as a professional since he was beaten by former WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas in June 2021, although ‘Pac-Man’ has participated in two exhibition contests since then, facing DK Yoo and Rukiya Anpo in 2022 and 2024 respectively.

One man who has predicted what he believes the outcome will be when Pacquiao faces Barrios is highly-respected trainer Robert Garcia, who has worked with the likes of Anthony Joshua, Nonito Donaire and Bam Rodriguez.

Speaking to ESNEWS, Garcia made no mistake in backing Barrios to prevail against Pacquiao, claiming the ‘younger’ fighter will have the edge over the veteran ‘Pac-Man’.

“I gotta go with Barrios, he’s young, he’s the champion, Pacquiao’s what like [46] already? At that age, that’s too much, that’s like me getting in the ring. I can’t I’m 49.”

Pacquiao has reignited that iconic partnership with legendary coach Freddie Roach, who worked with the Filipino icon in 34 of his fights over a 16-year period before their relationship went sour back in 2018.

As for Barrios, the 30-year-old from Texas will be making just the second defence of his WBC crown, after his maiden defence against Abel Ramos ended in a split decision draw last November.

Oscar De La Hoya talks about Manny Pacquiao’s comeback fight and shares his only concern

It’s 46 years, it’s not a small thing and the boxing world knows it, but Manny Pacquiao is confident of getting through the challenge of his comeback fight against Mario. Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada, despite the ‘disadvantage’ of his age, and especially after four years of retirement.

PacMan has not stepped into a boxing ring in an official fight since he lost to Cuban Yordenis Ugas in 2021, and has not known victory since 2019, when he won by split decision against American Keith Thurman.

This return has a controversial component, as at his age, the Filipino has many concerned about his health and the fact that with this element in the equation he could well be endangered against a boxer 16 years younger.

And there are several who have expressed it, from his former promoter Bob Arumbusinessman and promoter Eddie Hearn and many more, joined by former champion and now promoter Oscar de la Hoya, who also came to face him, and no, it is not the experience and the long experience of the former eight-division champion that worries the ‘Golden Boy’.

“Give your body a rest”

This is what De La Hoya told Fight Hub TV: “He’ll do fine. He’s experienced. He has the power that never leaves you, but Pacquiao, you’re 46 years old. You have to remember that, so give your body a break (…) The rest between training and sparring sessions is now Manny Pacquiao’s best friend. I’m a little worried about the speed, because I think Barrios is a fighter“.

De La Hoya admitted that he does not follow Barrios’ fights and is not up to date with his career, but he knows that his youth will be a very important factor that may tip the balance in his favor, although despite this he did not dare to give a prediction.

Oscar De La Hoya talks about Manny Pacquiao’s comeback fight and shares his only concern

It’s 46 years, it’s not a small thing and the boxing world knows it, but Manny Pacquiao is confident of getting through the challenge of his comeback fight against Mario. Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada, despite the ‘disadvantage’ of his age, and especially after four years of retirement.

PacMan has not stepped into a boxing ring in an official fight since he lost to Cuban Yordenis Ugas in 2021, and has not known victory since 2019, when he won by split decision against American Keith Thurman.

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It’s 46 years, it’s not a small thing and the boxing world knows it, but Manny Pacquiao is confident of getting through the challenge of his comeback fight against Mario. Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada, despite the ‘disadvantage’ of his age, and especially after four years of retirement.

PacMan has not stepped into a boxing ring in an official fight since he lost to Cuban Yordenis Ugas in 2021, and has not known victory since 2019, when he won by split decision against American Keith Thurman.

This return has a controversial component, as at his age, the Filipino has many concerned about his health and the fact that with this element in the equation he could well be endangered against a boxer 16 years younger.

And there are several who have expressed it, from his former promoter Bob Arumbusinessman and promoter Eddie Hearn and many more, joined by former champion and now promoter Oscar de la Hoya, who also came to face him, and no, it is not the experience and the long experience of the former eight-division champion that worries the ‘Golden Boy’.

“Give your body a rest”

This is what De La Hoya told Fight Hub TV: “He’ll do fine. He’s experienced. He has the power that never leaves you, but Pacquiao, you’re 46 years old. You have to remember that, so give your body a break (…) The rest between training and sparring sessions is now Manny Pacquiao’s best friend. I’m a little worried about the speed, because I think Barrios is a fighter“.

De La Hoya admitted that he does not follow Barrios’ fights and is not up to date with his career, but he knows that his youth will be a very important factor that may tip the balance in his favor, although despite this he did not dare to give a prediction.

Floyd Mayweather’s Uncle Stirs Controversy With Canelo Alvarez And Manny Pacquiao PED Comments

Floyd Mayweather’s uncle makes PED claim on Canelo Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao.

Canelo Alvarez puts his undisputed super middleweight title on the line against Terence Crawford on September 13. Many consider the fight to be one of the greatest of the modern era.

However, Alvarez’s camp has recently come under the spotlight afterJaime Munguia, Canelo’s former foe, and a fighter who trains with the same coach, Eddy Reynoso, has tested positive for a banned substance.

Canelo went through a similar controversy back in 2018, and other fighters who has previously trained under Reynoso, like Ryan Garcia, have also been through the same. Many are now skeptical of Reynoso and his camp due to the repeated incidents that defy the law of probability.

Floyd Mayweather’s uncle, Jeff Mayweather, has now pointed his finger directly at Reynoso’s most famous pupil, Canelo Alvarez. He believes the substantial financial benefit of fighting the Mexican makes opponents avoid asking Canelo for drug testing.

Speaking to FightHype, Jeff Mayweather said:

I think one way to stop it is that the commissions need to do their job. But, the one thing about boxing is this- boxing is a business. And the person that makes the money, can do whatever they want to do. Because the other person has got to fight them, that is going to get their biggest payday.

Aside from saying that nobody challenges Canelo on drug testing because of the potential paydays, he also added that Floyd Mayweather made Manny Pacquiao get tested ahead of their fight because he was bigger than the Filipino.

Right now, Canelo is the man in boxing. He is the man in boxing. Whoever fights him, is not going to make him test. Because, they’re going to make the biggest payday of their life. But, if they say, you on something, and I want you to get tested, you’re not going to get no fight. So, that’s the same thing that happened many years ago when my nephew, Floyd, fought Manny Pacquiao. He was the only one that could say, ‘Manny Pacquiao, you gotta get tested before you fight me.’ And that was because he was bigger than Manny Pacquiao was.

Former Champion Zab Judah Has No Doubt Who Wins Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios Title Fight

Manny Pacquiao is two months away from making a shock return to the ring.

The 46-year-old from the Philippines will face reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

‘Pac-Man’ has not fought as a professional since he suffered the eighth defeat of his career at the hands of former WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas back in June 2021, although he has had two exhibition contests against Rukiya Anpo and DK Yoo respectively.

The Filipino great has received mixed reactions from members of the boxing community after announcing his comeback, with many left wondering whether the 46-year-old made the decision purely for financial gain, or whether he is looking to further cement his outstanding legacy.

Speaking to ESNEWS, retired two-division world champion Zab Judah was asked to predict who he believes will prevail when Pacquiao locks horns with Barrios in just two months time.

“[Manny] Pacquiao.”

Pacquiao has linked back up with coach Freddie Roach ahead of his return, reigniting that famous partnership which originally lasted for 16 years and just over 30 fights.

The 46-year-old could break his own record of being the oldest world welterweight champion, having already achieved this feat back in 2019 when he defeated Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman to become the WBA welterweight champion at 40-years-old.

Manny Pacquiao Reveals The One Opponent Who Gave Him His Hardest Fight

Manny Pacquiao has revealed the one opponent who gave him his toughest fight in boxing, and he shunned Floyd Mayweather — one of his career rivals — when providing his answer.

The Filipino fighting icon rampaged his way through multiple weight classes, sharing the ring with a plethora of all-time great boxers, to put a stamp on a Hall-of-Fame resume. The International Boxing Hall of Fame, of which GIVEMESPORT’s combat editor and reporter Alan Dawson is a voting member, enshrines Pacquiao into its hall this summer, around the same time he’ll return to the ring, aged 46, to attempt to wrest the WBC welterweight world championship from Mario Barrios’s waist.

Manny Pacquiao & Mario Barrios’ professional boxing records (as of 22/05/25)
Manny Pacquiao Mario Barrios
Fights 72 32
Wins 62 29
Losses 8 2
Draws 2 1

Had Pacquiao fought Barrios in his prime, he would have no doubt dispatched of him with ease, having beaten the likes of Erik Morales, Juan Manual Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar de la Hoya, and Ricky Hatton, among others. But, as Pacquiao said this week, there is one fighter in particular who he believes gave him all kinds of hell.

Manny Pacquiao’s Toughest Test

Hall-of-Fame fighter reveals trickets opponent he fought

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao

Describing his ability to box as “a gift from God,” Pacquiao told reporters, including Elie Seckbach and Fight Hype, when training in Los Angeles, that “the bigger one,” meaning Antonio Margarito, was his hardest fight.

Renowned for an aggressive, pressure-style of fighting, and his durability, Margarito had beaten Joshua Clottey and Miguel Cotto leading up to his fight with Pacquiao.

Picking Margarito as his toughest test is perhaps a surprising pick considering his wars with numerous Mexican legends, and trying to figure out the technical prowess of Mayweather, yet Margarito, at 5-foot-11 and being so much bigger than Pacquiao as a junior middleweight, meant Manny had to negate his opponent’s size.

There was also an added mental test, as Pacquiao was incensed at the time by Margarito’s apparent mocking of Pacquiao’s beloved long-time trainer Freddie Roach, who has Parkinson’s disease. Margarito was seen on video impersonating Roach by shaking his hands while he had a crick in his neck. This never sat well with Pacquiao, who inflicted a brutal beating of Margarito in the ring, and injured his eye so badly that it took a long while to recover from the damage.

That was almost 15 years ago. Pacquiao returns to the ring in July against Barrios atop a PBC on Prime Video PPV event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Floyd Mayweather’s uncle not a fan of Manny Pacquiao getting a title shot against Mario Barrios.

Manny Pacquiao is set to make his return to the boxing ring in July, taking on Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title. This will be Pacquiao’s first professional fight since his 2021 defeat to Yordenis Ugas.

Pacquiao hasn’t won a fight since his 2019 match against Keith Thurman. ‘Pacman’ is a legend of the sport, but he’s now 46, and making his return immediately into a world championship fight has raised eyebrows.

One person who has criticized the decision to give Pacquiao an immediately title shot is Floyd Mayweather’s uncle, Jeff. And in an interview on The Mayweather Channel, he spoke out.

Before I even talk about the fight, it seems that boxing has changed. Because this guy’s been retired for what, three or four years.

He continued:

He’s done nothing to be fighting for a world title. I don’t understand why he’s even fighting for a world title.

He was then asked whether it’s similar to Floyd Mayweather fighting Conor McGregor in 2017, to which he replied:

Don’t get me wrong, he’s fighting a world championship in boxing. He’s not fighting someone like Conor, he was whole different breed. He was just the number one guy in the UFC.

When further asked about Pacquiao, Jeff Mayweather added:

He’s done nothing actually to be fighting for a world title other than his name or what he’s done in the past. I mean his name is legendary but you still have guys that are fighting right now to get that number 1 spot. And you have some guy that hasn’t fought in so many years that just jumps up and takes your spot and may win a world title.