Keith Thurman Weighs In on Pacquiao vs Barrios Showdown

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by Butch Belga

Keith Thurman. Photo: PBC.

Keith Thurman stands among the rare few who can offer firsthand insight into both fighters stepping into the ring this Saturday at the MGM Grand—Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios. Having shared the ring with each of them, Thurman brings a unique perspective to the highly anticipated clash.

Back in 2019, Pacquiao, then 40 years old, dropped Thurman in the first round and went on to hand him the only loss of his professional career via split decision. Fast forward two and a half years, and Thurman returned to the win column with a clear unanimous decision over Barrios. Although he couldn’t finish the fight early, Thurman repeatedly landed damaging blows and only momentarily faltered when Barrios caught him with a body shot in the eighth.

Speaking to PPV.com ahead of Saturday’s bout, Thurman noted that Barrios' defense could be an opening for Pacquiao—if the legendary Filipino icon still has the explosiveness to capitalize.

“With Barrios, the openings are there,” Thurman observed. “There are gaps you can exploit, little windows to land shots.”

But Thurman wasn’t shy about pointing out the elephant in the room—Pacquiao’s age.

Manny Pacquiao (right) during his exhibition bout against Rukiya Anpo in 2024. Photo: Getty Images.

“At 46, can he still get in those positions? Will his punches still carry that signature snap?” Thurman wondered aloud. “There’s a saying in boxing: you get old overnight. One day you wake up and you're just not the same. It’s not just about training—it’s biology.”

Despite concerns, Thurman acknowledged that age-defying feats aren’t unheard of in boxing. He pointed to Bernard Hopkins, who won and defended world titles well into his late 40s and early 50s. That kind of longevity, while rare, sets a precedent for Pacquiao’s latest comeback.

Keith Thurman. Photo: Fox Sports.

However, it’s not just age that raises red flags for Thurman—it’s inactivity.

“People forget that when Manny fought me, he had momentum. He’d been in the ring consistently and was sharp,” Thurman explained. “But after the pandemic, when he fought Yordenis Ugas, that layoff showed. Now he’s coming in after another long break, and that’s what has me concerned about what kind of Pacquiao we’re going to see.”

Given these factors, Thurman believes Barrios has a legitimate shot.

“Barrios has a solid jab,” he said. “If he can establish that early, keep Manny at a distance, and make him move—test his conditioning—then we’ll see how much the old warrior has left in him.”

As Pacquiao returns for another chapter in his storied career, Thurman’s assessment strikes a balance between admiration and realism. The question remains: can the aging legend defy time once more, or will Barrios seize the moment and forge his own legacy?