Barrios Vows to Go Full-Throttle Against Pacquiao

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by Butch Belga

Manny Pacquiao (left) and Mario Barrios. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

With less than a week until the lights go down in Las Vegas on July 19, WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) isn’t playing favorites. The 30‑year‑old powerhouse, raised admiring Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs), has made one thing clear: sentimentality ends at the bell.

"If the roles were reversed, Pacquiao wouldn’t take it easy on me," Barrios told The Ring. "So I’m not taking it easy on him either."

This upcoming clash, set in the boxing mecca of Las Vegas, is more than just a title defense for Barrios—it’s a chance to etch his name in the sport’s history by defeating one of its all-time greats. Pacquiao, 46, hasn’t fought professionally since 2021, but remains a towering figure in the boxing world with his eight-division world titles and lightning-quick hands. Still, Barrios believes the time for tributes is over. He’s preparing for war, not a farewell party.

"I’m going in there with bad intentions," Barrios said. "I’m trying to get him out of there."

The rising champion even referenced Juan Manuel Marquez’s iconic 2012 knockout of Pacquiao as inspiration. A perfectly-timed punch—one moment of calculated aggression—is all he’s aiming for. With 24 knockouts in his 29 wins, Barrios has the power to end fights suddenly and decisively.

Barrios also made it clear that fans shouldn't expect a repeat of the recent Jake Paul–Mike Tyson exhibition match, which critics panned as more of a show than a fight. "There’s not going to be anything like carrying Pacquiao. That’s not how I fight. I fight to finish."

Pacquiao, meanwhile, has remained focused and quiet, working through an intense training camp that insiders say has surprised many with his sharpness and speed. Reports out of camp describe a fighter who, while older, hasn’t lost the killer instinct that made him a global icon. For many, this fight is not just about titles but legacy—a final chapter that could either cement or stain Pacquiao’s mythical status.

Despite the age gap, Barrios is not underestimating the future Hall of Famer. He acknowledged that Pacquiao's speed and movement still pose a threat, but he trusts in his game plan and physical advantage. “I know he’s a legend,” he said, “but that won’t matter once we’re inside the ring.”

As the clock ticks down to fight night, the atmosphere in Vegas is thick with anticipation. Can the aging warrior summon one last miracle? Or will the hungry champion send the icon into permanent retirement?

One thing is certain: Mario Barrios won’t be offering a victory lap for the Filipino legend. When the bell rings, it’s all business. And in Barrios’ words, “It’s kill or be killed.”