LAS VEGAS – While Mario Barrios already has the utmost respect to Manny Pacquiao, now he’s even more awed by boxing’s own Living Legend.
That a 46-year-old fighter went the distance with him blew the mind of the World Boxing Council welterweight champion, more so someone who has been inactive for about four years and only came out of retirement for this title fight.
READ Pacquiao, Barrios on same page for possible future rematch
Given the situation, Barrios, 30, disclosed how his team approached the match with a simple plan.
“The plan was to press him and try to make him feel old,” said the San Antonio native.
Barrios added, ‘But he's still got good legs. His stamina is crazy. He’s still strong as hell and his timing is real.”
Pacquiao made life hell for Barrios in the entire 36 minutes that they engaged in the ring before the fight ended in a majority draw that enabled the champion to keep his title belt - but barely.
As the dust settled, all the 6-foot tall welterweight could do was to go for a majority draw.
Experience and Pacquiao’s unorthodox fighting style made it difficult for Barrios to figure out his legendary opponent.
“There were certain adjustments that were difficult to make with him. And his style, I think that goes with the experience that he has, the style and the fights that he has been in. He’s a veteran, he’s a legend. And it’s very tricky to try to find him,” said Barrios of the Pacman.
Barrios is 16 years younger than Pacquiao. He was only four months old when the pride of General Santos City began his boxing career.
“For his age, he’s very explosive, he’s very tricky,” added the champion.
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