Former world champion Bernard Hopkins backs Manny Pacquiao to make history by defeating Mario Barrios

Former undisputed middleweight world champion and lineal light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins Jr. was one of the most successful boxers of the past three decades, ranked among the best middleweight titleholders of the last 50 years.

Hopkins still holds the record for being the oldest boxer to win a world title—at the age of 49—and even went on to break his own record in April 2014 by defeating Beibut Shumenov via a 12-round split decision to become the oldest boxer to unify two major world titles.

Now 60 years old, Hopkins is no stranger to winning world titles at an advanced age. Like many former world champions, he has shared his opinion on the upcoming World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title fight between current champion Mario Barrios and Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.

“I’m rooting for Manny because I know if anyone can do it, it’s him. I think Barrios is a B-plus fighter. I believe, yes, Pacquiao’s got some mileage on him, yes, he’s politically and 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,” Hopkins told The Ring.

A win for Pacquiao at age 46 would make him the second-oldest boxer to win a world title, behind Hopkins.

Manny Pacquiao wants to break Bernard Hopkins’ record as the oldest champion in boxing history

‘B-Hop’ famously held the gold at 49 years old, while ‘PacMan’ is currently set to kick off his comeback this summer at age 46. pic.twitter.com/CWOJIF1tLV

— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) June 27, 2025

However, the decision to grant Pacquiao a direct title shot has stirred controversy within the boxing community. Critics question why he is being given an immediate title opportunity, especially since he hasn’t been officially ranked in years. Some have also accused WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman of favoritism, noting that Pacquiao hasn’t won a professional fight since 2019.

Currently, fighters such as Devin Haney, Souleymane Cissokho, Conor Benn, and Egidijus Kavaliauskas are ranked above Pacquiao. Others—including Raul Curiel, Thulani Mbenge, Eimantas Stanionis, Abel Ramos, and Alexis Rocha—have reportedly been pushed down the rankings to make way for the legendary Filipino boxer.

Barrios, on the other hand, has won 29 of his 32 fights, with 18 victories coming by knockout. The Mexican-American won the interim WBC title in September 2023 and was elevated to full champion in June 2024 after Terence Crawford moved up to 154 pounds to face Israil Madrimov. Barrios has only lost twice—to Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman.

The bout was initially scheduled for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but was moved to the MGM Grand Garden Arena due to a prior commitment for a Lady Gaga concert.

The fight between Pacquiao and Barrios will reportedly be streamed via PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view.

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