LAS VEGAS – Mario Barrios maintained his admiration and respect for boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
But at the end of the day, he’s a dangerous opponent who needs to be taken care of or else it’s him who’s going to be killed.
“I’m not going there looking for a knockout, but I'm going there with bad intentions,” stressed the reigning World Boxing Council welterweight title holder during the final presser on Thursday (Manila time) for the 12-round title fight.
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“I believe I’m in my prime right now, so I’ll try to show that come Saturday.”
Weekend will be D-Day at the MGM Grand Garden Arena as Barrios, 30, stakes his 147-pound crown against a fighter considered among the greatest ever and who was just recently inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
But Pacquiao will be going to the 12-round fight coming out of a four-year retirement and climbing back to the ring at age 46.
And that’s something the champion’s camp will try to take advantage of, according to Barrios.
“I’ll try to test everything come fight night, whether he can still keep up at his level. I’ve been preparing for 12 rounds of non-stop action because I know the style he brings when he steps into the ring. I’m looking to test him in every way,” said the champion, whose making the second defense of his WBC crown.
A holder of 29-2-1 record with 18 KOs, the San Antonio native looked vulnerable against Abel Ramos during his last title defense in November which he won by split decision.
While Pacquiao may be his toughest opponent yet, ultimately Barrios said the legendary boxer is just another challenger out to take his title away.
“I’m treating this fight like another title defense against another opponent,” said the American champion. “At the end of the day, he’s just another man out there, another opponent trying to take my title regardless of what he accomplished in the sport.”
Barrios considered the bout as ‘huge and historic,’ saying it’s a dream come true for him seeing his name on huge billboards along the Las Vegas Strip and headlining a major fight at the MGM Grand.
It’s for this reason that he’s looking to keep his belt and remain among the current champions in the welterweight division.
“I know it’s going to be a hell of a fight as I’m going out there with a Living Legend, But at the end of the night, you’re gonna hear ‘And still…,” said Barrios.
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