Boxing

Mario Barrios Coach Makes Manny Pacquiao Knockout Promise

Mario Barrios' coach is making bold claims about how the July 19 fight against Manny Pacquiao will end.
Grant Young|
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

In 16 days, Manny Pacquiao will be facing Mario Barrios for his WBC welterweight championship belt. While it feels like intrigue for this fight has gradually simmered down ever since it was announced earlier this year, there's no doubt that anticipation will rise once again during fight week, especially when Barrios and Pacquiao face off against each other.

Both sides seem confident about their chances. While Pacquiao obviously has the stronger resumé and vital experience, Barrios is the much younger fighter (he's 30 years old while Pacquiao is 46), has the physical advantages, and has been much more active in recent years.

Only time will tell which of these two will end up having the upper hand on July 19.

However, Barrios' side is making bold claims before going toe-to-toe with the Filipino icon. And some of these claims were included in a July 3 article from Alan Dawson of Uncrowned.

“If we're in the sixth and seventh round, and we have a chance to take him out, we will,” Barrios' head coach Bob Santos promised. He then added, “We have to do that, because if you keep him around, all it takes in this sport is one shot. You could think you're thriving in the fight, but, then — boom! It’s good night [and you’ve lost]. If the opportunity comes to take Manny out, we are taking him out.”

Barrios expanded on this sentiment by saying, “I know if at any point [Pacquiao] has me hurt, then there’s no question [he’d pull the trigger on me]. So, it’s not personal. It’s just business. I’m honored to be sharing the ring with a legend but, at the end of the day, he’s trying to take my title. I’m the champion for a reason. Of course, I’m going to try and take him out.

“I wouldn’t call it sad — but that’s just the reality of boxing," he added.

Barrios certainly has the tools to put Pacquiao to sleep.

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Grant Young
GRANT YOUNG

Grant Young is a Staff Writer for On SI’s Boxing, New York Mets, Indiana Fever, and Women’s Fastbreak sites. Before joining SI in 2024, he wrote for various boxing and sports verticals such as FanBuzz and NY Fights. Young has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a master’s degree in creative writing with an emphasis on sports nonfiction from the University of San Francisco, where he played five seasons of Division 1 baseball. He fought Muay Thai professionally in Thailand in 2023, loves a good essay, and is driven crazy trying to handle a pitpull puppy named Aura. Young lives in San Diego and was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area.