Manny Pacquiao’s latest training footage has fans fearing the worst.
The former eight-weight world champion is set to face WBC welterweight title holder Mario Barrios for the green and gold strap on July 19, following a four-year hiatus from the paid ranks.
X – Pinoy Boxing No1Pacquiao is back in the gym preparing for his comeback[/caption]
The last time he stepped foot in the professional ring, Pacquiao was beaten on points by Yordenis Ugas in August 2021.
Since then, the 46-year-old has returned to action in a pair of exhibition bouts against Korean martial artist DK Yoo and Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo.
His dismal display against the latter led to calls for him to never fight again.
However, the WBC have sanctioned him to compete for their version of the world title after recently entering him into the 147lbs rankings at No.5.
Pacquiao is 17 years older than Barrios, who is in his athletic prime at 29.
Several members of the boxing fraternity have expressed concerns for Pacquiao’s health heading into the fight, and those worries were only deepened by his recent training footage.
Pacquiao’s hands still look fast in the 30-second clip of him hitting the bag, but his feet were lagging behind, as several supporters pointed out in the comment section.
One X user posted: “Legs are gone.”
Another messaged: “Them legs ain’t there, but that pop and quick twitch still is.”
A third added: “He got tired, first time I’ve ever seen him get fatigued hitting the bags, bad sign, but good luck to him, legend.”
A fourth commented: “We are about to witness a live murder of Manny. Sad times we are in the boxing community.”
Meanwhile, somebody else simply stated: “S*** is sad. Best days are behind him.”
If Pacquiao somehow manages to upset the applecart and beat Barrios, then he will become the second-oldest world champion of all time.
Bernard Hopkins currently holds the record at 49 years and 297 days old, although ‘B-Hop’ was still actively competing in the sport at the time and remained fully committed to training until his retirement at 51.
Pacquiao is a different case altogether.
The Filipino legend has spent the last four years focusing on his political career, and hasn’t been living in the gym like he would have to at his senior age.
