Manny Pacquiao, Mario Barrios ready for Saturday night

Dana Becker

Manny Pacquiao, Mario Barrios ready for Saturday night image

Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions

Both Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios have the same intentions heading into Saturday night's main event boxing fight. Barrios will defend his WBC welterweight title against Pacquiao from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

For the reigning titleholder, this is another opportunity to impress and showcase his skills to the world. Barrios,a  30-year-old, battled Abel Ramos to a draw last November and is 29-2-1 overall in his career.

"I'm going in there with bad intentions and power in both hands," Barrios said. "I won't hesitate to pull the trigger."

MORE: UFC 318 will go up against boxing fight, trying to add star power to event

Barrios started his career 25-0, including winning the WBA Inter-Continental welterweight title and WBA super lightweight belt. After back-to-back losses to Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman, he has gone 3-0-1 over his last four.

Pacquiao, considered by many to be one of the greatest boxers of all-time,  is competing for the first time since 2021 when he lost to Yordenis Ugas. He is 62-8-2 overall, having held titles in four different weight classes.

"I'm here again for another big fight," Pacquiao said. "I respect Barrios; he's a champion and he works hard also. This is for the fans.

"I'm excited to take the belt. He's a good fighter, but our job is to entertain the fans. We'ge gonna give them a real fight."

MORE COMBAT SPORTS NEWS:

 

Dana Becker

Dana Becker is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has been a sports writer since 2000, covering high school sports, the Big 12 and more for On SI, The Fort Dodge Messenger, Mason City Globe-Gazette, Cedar Rapids Gazette and others.