LAS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao already accomplished a record even before climbing the ring against Mario Barrios.
The 12-round bout for the World Boxing Council welterweight title will be the 16th time the 46-year-old boxing 'Living Legend' is going to fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the most by any fighter in the 17,000-seat venue.
READ: Manny Pacquiao on eve of title fight vs Mario Barrios: 'I'm back'
Pacquiao first fought at the MGM in 2001 when as an unknown fighter, introducing himself to boxing fans around the world by scoring a stunning sixth round technical knockout against the late champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba to wrest the IBF super-bantamweight championship in a fight the Filipino and his group accepted in two weeks’ notice.
A legend was born from there.
He went on to headline 14 more title fights after, including the richest match ever in boxing history against Floyd Mayweather Jr. a decade ago.
“You will now be the man who has fought the most here at the MGM Grand Garden. No. 16, more than anybody in history. Tyson, Mayweather, all of the great fights that had come in here,” announced noted American sportscaster Jim Gray, as a small banner at the rafters was unveiled for Pacquiao's record-setting feat.
“This is officially Manny Pacquiao’s house,” announced stand-up comedian Jo Koy, who graced the official weigh-in of the fight card on Friday (Saturday, Manila time).
Fighting in his 16th bout at the Grand Garden allowed Pacquiao to break free from a tie with Mayweather who saw action in the same venue 15 times.
Manny Pacquiao's house
In the 15 previous bouts he fought in the 32-year-old arena, Pacquiao’s record stood at 10-4, with the first of his four face-to-face meeting with Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez ending in a controversial draw in 2004.
The notable wins include against Oscar Dela Hoya (2008), Ricky Hatton (2009), Miguel Cotto (2009), Marquez (2011), Shane Mosley (2011), Tim Bradley (2014 and 2016), and Keith Thurman (2019).
The 12-round split decision against Thurman was the last MGM win for Pacquiao when he became the oldest fighter at 40 to win the welterweight title belt.
The only fighter to win eighth division world titles, he won 5 of his total 12 championships at the same venue.
The three other losses aside from Mayweather came at the expense of Erik Morales (2005), the controversy-marred fight against Bradley, (2012) and the horrific knockout at the hands of Marquez (2012).
Losing to Bradley and Marquez marked the only time Pacquiao lost twice in a row in his career.
But he did win his last two bouts at MGM against Thurman and then opposite Adrian Broner (2019).
Will the Grand Garden magic work anew for Pacquiao against Barrios?
By Sunday (Philippine time), the answer will be known.
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