Has Bernard Hopkins, who currently holds the record as the oldest world champion in boxing history, perhaps been a victim of nostalgia when it comes to him having made his pick on who he thinks will win the July 19 fight between 30 year old Mario Barrios and 46 year old Manny Pacquiao?
B-Hop, as we know, became world light heavyweight champion at the seriously advanced age of 49 (now, some historians may say the great Archie Moore still holds the distinction as the oldest-ever world champ, but the exact date of birth of “The Old Mongoose” is basically unknown, so officially Hopkins is the oldest-ever world champ) – and in doing so, the Philly legend really did show that age is just a number.
Can Barrios Overcome Pacquiao’s Experience?
Now, “The Alien,” to refer to Hopkins by another of his nicknames, is picking Pac-Man to win on July 19, thus becoming the second-oldest word champ ever.
“I’m rooting for Manny because if I know if anyone can do it, it’s him,” Hopkins said in speaking with The Ring. “I think Barrios is [a] B+ [fighter]. I believe, yes, [Pacquiao’s] got some mileage on him, yes, he’s politically mentally tied in, but he has the speed, he has the experience to get the upset. As a matter of fact, Manny could beat him by decision. He won’t get the stoppage.”
Age, the speed Pacquiao still has, and experience. All keys to victory as far as Manny is concerned. Hopkins we know used his uncannily high ring IQ to ensure victory as an older fighter, and now Pacquiao has to try and do the same, with his uncanny speed of hand also possibly assisting his chances.
It’s quite amazing to look back and recall how, when the Barrios-Pacquiao fight was first announced, hardly anybody was willing to give Pac-Man a chance of winning. In fact, so many critics declared how the fight should not even be allowed to take place.
Now, the fight is close, and it it a close fight in the opinion of a good many experts. B-Hop included.
How about YOU: have you found your opinion on who wins this fight changing as the fight gets closer and closer?
For what it’s worth, I’m picking Pacquiao to win via close, perhaps debatable decision.
Amir Khan Says Pacquiao Will Smash Barrios – And He Wants the Winner
Former 140 pound champ Amir Khan has sparred Manny Pacquiao quite a bit, and he has also sparred with Mario Barrios. As such, Khan is qualified to give us a pretty informative take on what he thinks will happen when the 46 year old and the 30 year old fight on July 19. And what Khan had to say about the WBC welterweight title fight and its outcome might come as quite a shock to some people.
With so many experts and fellow fighters openly concerned for Pacquiao and his health going into the Barrios fight, with many saying the fight shouldn’t be happening, Khan has a wholly different view, with him saying the Barrios fight is “perfect for Manny Pacquiao.”
Khan, speaking with IFL TV, said that “even with half a hard camp,” Pacquiao can win the fight.
“He’s not dangerous enough for someone like Manny Pacquiao”
“You know, the fight with Barrios, you know, if you look at boxing, what a perfect matchup that is for Manny Pacquiao,” Khan said. “Look, I sparred Barrios, I’ve trained with Barrios. A very good fighter, a very good boxer. He’s not dangerous enough for someone like Manny Pacquiao. He’s not a hard, hard fight. He’s basic but he’s good at his basic stuff. Since then he’s come on a lot. And I like him as a person. For Manny, I think it’s a great fight. And is a fight that’s winnable even if he’s had like half a hard camp. And if Manny wins, does that put me in the line to fight him? I’m not sure. I would like it, it would definitely give me that drive.”
So, Khan is picking his old spar-mate to pull it off in July, and it seems as though it won’t come as anything like a shock to Khan if Pacquiao does dethrone Barrios. Interesting. Khan doesn’t see any of the dangers that so many other people see going into this fight.
Is Khan right, will Manny win, and win in great style? And if so, could Khan get a fight with Pacquiao, this something the Bolton man always badly wanted back in the day?
“Imagine coming back and becoming world champion again! It can happen, it’s just crazy how life works,” Khan said.
