Pacquiao and Barrios pass the scale without difficulty

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, July 19, 2025, p. a11

Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao and American Mario Barrios had no trouble hitting the scales yesterday at the weigh-in ceremony for their World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title fight today at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao, 46, who is seeking to cap a three-decade professional career with another victory, weighed in at 146.8 pounds.

While his opponent, 30 years old and current WBC welterweight world champion, weighed 146.2, so both were within the weight limit for the category (147 pounds).

"I'm happy to be back; boxing is my passion. I thank God for giving me good health, and that's why I'm here ," said Pacquiao, whose resume includes 12 world championships in eight divisions and a record of 62-8-2 with 39 knockouts. He will return to the ring after a four-year hiatus.

During this time, I was able to rest my body after boxing since I was 12. I'm hungry to win and put on a great show for the fans , added the Filipino, who will be fighting his sixteenth fight at the MGM, setting a record at the historic facility.

A unanimous decision loss to Cuban Yordenis Ugás on August 21, 2021, is Pacquiao's most recent record in professional boxing. His last victory was in 2019, a split decision over American Keith Thurman.

For his part, Barrios, who has a record of 29-2-1, with 18 knockouts, thanked the fans who came to the weigh-in ceremony, held at the MGM, before stating that this is his moment to shine against a figure of the caliber of PacMan .

"I'm going to approach the fight the same way; it's another title defense. Manny has accomplished a lot, but this is my time. I'm very happy about this opportunity ," said the San Antonio, Texas, native of Mexican descent.

Meanwhile, the rematch for the WBC interim super lightweight title between Mexicans Isaac Pitbull Cruz and Ángel Fierro, which was scheduled to take place on the same card, was canceled yesterday because the man nicknamed Tashiro suffered an ailment hours before the weigh-in and had to be taken to a hospital.

According to various reports, Fierro suffered severe dehydration in his attempt to make the 140 pounds agreed for the fight, and although it was later announced that he was stable and in the process of recovery, he was ruled out of the fight against Pitbull , so his place will be taken by Sonoran Omar Salcido, who will make his debut at super lightweight.

At the weigh-in, Salcido, who has 20 wins, 13 by knockout, and two losses, weighed in at 139.4 pounds. Cruz, meanwhile, with a record of 27 wins, 18 knockouts, three losses, and one draw, weighed in at 139.2 pounds.

With information from AFP

▲ AFP Photo

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La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, July 19, 2025, p. a11

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