Mario Barrios’ trainer claims Manny Pacquiao is a more dangerous opponent than Mike Tyson

Boxing history could be rewritten on July 19, when the legendary Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao returns to the ring at age 46 to challenge WBC welterweight champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

For Pacquiao, it’s not just a comeback — it’s a chance to become the oldest welterweight world champion in history. For Barrios, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime to retire a legend and solidify his place at the top of boxing’s marquee division.

The 46-year-old has been training intensively for the fight and has reunited with longtime head trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Las Vegas. Barrios’ trainer Bob Santos has acknowledged that they are wary of the threat posed by Pacquiao, even stating that the Filipino legend is a more dangerous opponent than Mike Tyson.

Mario Barrios couldn’t believe it when he heard a Manny Pacquiao fight was possible.

His trainer @BobSantosBoxing explains 🔥#MarioBarrios #mannypacquiao #PacquiaoBarrios pic.twitter.com/HWqm5magtL

— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) July 17, 2025

Santos, who was named Sports Illustrated Trainer of the Year in 2022, believes Pacquiao is more dangerous than Tyson due to the former’s discipline and lifestyle—factors he says matter more than age.

“He is the biggest killer inside the ring, even more so, in a sense, than Mike Tyson. With Mike Tyson, I know there’s bravado and he wants to kill you, but a lot of times he fell short because he didn’t have the lifestyle of someone like Manny Pacquiao,” Santos said in a media interaction.

“So Manny Pacquiao—when he executes his plan and what he’s trying to do—guess what, if you don’t knock him out, you’re gonna take a lot of damn punishment for that entire fight. He is an absolute assassin. The nicest guy. Manny Pacquiao has never disrespected me, never disrespected Robert Guerrero—but once you step in that ring, you better get ready.”

A win would mark Pacquiao’s 13th welterweight title—and his first since winning the WBO belt in 2009, when he defeated Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto via 12th-round technical knockout. It would also break his own record as the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history, a title he first claimed by defeating Keith Thurman in 2019 at age 40.

The bout was initially set for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but was moved to the MGM Grand Garden Arena due to a prior booking 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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