‘It shouldn’t be for a world championship’: Top promoter Eddie Hearn slams Pacquiao vs. Barrios title fight

Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was widely expected to return to the ring after a four-year hiatus—and the former eight-division world champion has now made it official.

Pacquiao announced on social media that he will come out of retirement to face World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Mario Barrios for the title in Las Vegas.

“I’m back. On July 19, I return to the ring to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Let’s make history!” Pacquiao posted on X (formerly Twitter).

This will be Pacquiao’s first professional fight since losing by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021 for the World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight title. That title had been stripped from Pacquiao due to inactivity, and since then, he has only participated in exhibition bouts around the world.

Matchroom chairman and top boxing promoter Eddie Hearn—known for his candid opinions—did not hold back when asked about the upcoming showdown between Pacquiao and Barrios.

“You can’t just be out for five years, already be done, and then come back, have a couple of exhibitions, look terrible, and then phone up the WBC and say, ‘Stick me in at number’—what is he, five?” Hearn said in a media interaction.

❌ “Manny Pacquiao should not be fighting for a world title!”- Eddie Hearn

-Eddie says Manny Pacquiao shouldn’t be fighting for a title and explains why
-Manny has the right to do whatever he wants

WATCH:https://t.co/lF0d13fXQf pic.twitter.com/xGm8M1oWXB

— Fight Hub TV (@FightHubTV) June 16, 2025

“But also, it is a business, and I do understand. Still, it makes a bit of a mockery of the world championships. Mario Barrios is not the greatest world champion, but I think he’s better than what we saw the last time out, when he boxed on the Mike Tyson card, and I think he will beat Manny Pacquiao quite handily.”

Hearn continued:

“I’m happy for Manny, but it just shouldn’t work like that. You’ll see a shot legend in the ring, which I think is quite sad. But, listen, if he wants to do it and has the will to fight, good luck to him. Still, I don’t think you should be out for five years, not fight anybody, and then just stroll back into the rankings because you’re Manny Pacquiao.

Do the fight—but it shouldn’t be for a world championship, in my opinion. And I don’t think he has a chance at all. Even though Barrios hasn’t shown great form, I think he’ll be too young and strong for Manny.”

Pacquiao has participated in 72 professional fights, winning 62. A win against Barrios would give him his 13th welterweight title and his first since capturing the World Boxing Organization (WBO) title in 2009, when he defeated Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto via 12th-round technical knockout.

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 Pacquiao vs. Barrios fight will reportedly stream via PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view.

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