Pacquiao facing history

By Julian-Ray Fortaleza

As “the Pride of the Philippines”, Manny Pacquiao works to get back into fighting shape, the talk around the boxing world is focused on numbers.  5’6 vs 6’0. 4 years away from the ring vs 7 months out. 46 years old vs 30 years old.

The all-time record belongs to Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins for winning an IBF title at 49. 49 years old, with a world championship. Division-wise, Pacquiao is already the oldest welterweight division champion in boxing history. A part of why Pacquiao was named to the IBHOF earlier this month.

The odds are not in Pacquiao’s favor. Mario Barrios has been a champion who has worked his way up the PBC mountain. 29-2-1 with 18 KO’s. 30 years old. Beat Yordenis Ugas, who retired Pacquiao several years ago. 

Eyes may be looking at Pacquiao as an underdog, but if there is anyone in history who could pull off a miraculous win, it would be the man who has fought as an underdog throughout his career and beat the odds time and time again.