Boxing
Coach Mario Barrios in the obscure on the fight of Manna Pacquiao
Published
1 year agoon
Coach Mario Barrios, Bob Santos, told worldboxingnews.com that he is in the obscure over the defense of the Manny Pacquiao Championships.
Reports are widespread that Barrios will defend the WBC welterweight title against the Filipino Superstar on July 19 at the T-Mobile Arena.
Several stories suggest that Barrios vs. Pacquiao is implemented as part of the Sebastian Fund Vs Tim Tyu Fund event in Las Vegas, Nevada.
However, Santos could not confirm anything when WBN contacted the respected coach regarding the successful end of year -round conversations.
“Everyone says that Barrios vs. Pacquiao is ready, but Luis Decubas and Al Haymon (the most crucial boxing masters) did not tell me anything final,” said Santos only World Boxing News.
“In particular, I called Luis, and he told me that (Pacquiao) focused on his elections of May 12 and after that there would be updated.
“He doesn’t make any decision (by that time). We’re trying to fight this guy for a year and a half.”
Pacquiao will find out about his efforts to join the Philippines again next week. The current head of the MP promotion, so far refuses to disclose all the details of the potential contract by that time.
WBN has been in constant contact with Gibbons in the last few months. As soon as there is something specific to apply for Barrios vs Pacquiao, WBN will know about it.
It seems that Santos is on the same boat.
“Believe me, I would not like anything more for this fight to happen,” said Santos. “I tried to do it for a year, asking Sean Gibbon if he was coming back to the fight.
“So until they announce it officially, and even until we are in the ring, this is not a completed contract. I understand that he only concentrates on May 12, which in my opinion is his Senate race.
“Believe me, I would like to see the fight more than anyone, but from what Sean told me, Pacquiao focuses only on the Senate race on May 12.
Who knows after that, but I hope it will happen – he concluded.
Barrios recently fought in November, when Abel Ramos attracted Mike Tyson’s return against Jake Paul. The 29-year-old was improved from the WBC fleeting master before the fight.
Pacquiao has not been lively for four years. In 2021, he was beaten by Yordenis Ugas, abandoning the status of a world title after he became the oldest welterweight champion in history.
“Pac-Man” defeated Keith Thurman in a huge fight to win the WBA welterweight championships on July 40, 2019.
All he was ready to fight Errol Spence in unification until the then ruler-Ibf suffered injuries. Uga entered and withdrew from Pacquiao through a unanimous decision, the most thinking of for good.
However, Pacquiao will probably return to the division of a welterweight at the age of 46.
WBN for the first time gave the news about Master WBC Barrios from Pacquiao last year, and since then the president of WBC Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed the WBN report.
You may like
Boxing
Joshua vs Fury Confirmed for December 11 in Cardiff on Netflix
Published
2 hours agoon
September 24, 2026
Principality Stadium secures the British heavyweight fight, with a London press conference next week and the undercard to follow.
Anthony Joshua (30-4, 27 KOs) and Tyson Fury (36-2-1, 25 KOs) will fight at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday, December 11. Netflix will broadcast the full event exclusively after organizers secured a British venue for the heavyweights’ first professional meeting.
Turki Alalshikh announced the fight, and Joshua and Fury are scheduled to attend a London press conference next week. The supporting card will be announced later; no undercard opponents were named in the supplied announcement.
The December date replaces the November plan discussed earlier in negotiations. Wembley had been Joshua’s preferred destination, but Cardiff secured the event following talks over whether the fight would remain in Britain or move to the United States.
Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn insisted on a UK venue. His contract included that requirement, and their position held despite discussions involving New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Dana White said: “For more than a decade, boxing fans have been clamoring for the heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Together, they bring 66 wins, 52 knockouts and multiple heavyweight world titles into the ring. On December 11, two of the biggest heavyweights of this generation finally collide and the winner will take a significant place in heavyweight history.”
Netflix to broadcast the full Cardiff card
Netflix’s preference for an evening American broadcast drove the push to stage the fight across the Atlantic. Madison Square Garden emerged as the leading US option before negotiations returned to Britain.
Cardiff keeps the contest on British soil, with a late opening bell expected to accommodate viewers in the United States.
The main event is expected around 1 a.m. UK timealthough the exact time has not been confirmed. If that schedule holds. A 1 a.m. GMT start would put the main event at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 11 for viewers on America’s east coast.
The fight is expected to take place beneath Principality Stadium’s retractable roof.
London press conference scheduled for next week
Alalshikh welcomed the agreement after months of negotiations over the event.
“Two of the best heavyweights of this generation, finally in the ring together. This will be one of the biggest fights in boxing history, I am very happy to make this fight happen for the fans,” he said.
Joshua and Fury previously signed a two-fight agreement in 2021. That booking collapsed after an arbitration ruling required Fury to face Deontay Wilder again.
Their December meeting now has a confirmed date, venue and broadcaster. Next week’s press conference will bring both fighters to London, with the remaining card and precise event timetable still to follow.

About the author
Boxing 24/7 Wire
Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.
Boxing
Manny Pacquiao and Shakur Stevenson Discuss Potential Fight in Cardiff
Published
7 hours agoon
September 24, 2026
Manny Pacquiao against Shakur Stevenson remains under discussion for the proposed Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury card in Cardiff. It would give the event a second major fight, but neither Pacquiao nor Stevenson has received a bout agreement.
BoxingScene’s Lance Pugmire reports that two people connected to the talks say Netflix wants the matchup as part of a “double main event.” December 11 is the date under consideration at Principality Stadium, with December 18 also possible. Pacquiao adviser Jas Mathur told BoxingScene that Pacquiao’s financial terms are still being negotiated.
That leaves a great deal to settle before anyone can call this a fight. The Cardiff show itself has yet to be formally announced, and moving Joshua-Fury from the previously discussed Madison Square Garden setting means assembling the rest of the card around a different venue and date.
Pacquiao-Stevenson would bring two very different attractions to that card. Stevenson, 29, is coming off his January win over Teofimo Lopez and has since signed with Zuffa Boxing. Pacquiao, 47, drew with Mario Barrios in his July 2025 return. His name would draw attention far beyond the usual boxing audience, though the long layoff and age difference would become part of the conversation as soon as the fight was announced.
The proposed pairing also raises a practical question: what weight would they fight at? Pacquiao’s return came at welterweight, while Stevenson’s recent work has been at lighter weights. No weight, number of rounds, or title terms have been announced.
For now, the news is that Pacquiao-Stevenson has survived the reported switch to Cardiff and remains in Netflix’s plans, according to BoxingScene. The decisive development would be agreements reaching both fighters. Until then, it belongs on the list of fights being negotiated, rather than the Joshua-Fury undercard.
Pacquiao turns 48 on December 17. If the fight lands on December 18, Shakur would face him one day after his birthday. Pacquiao won his first world title in 1998, before Shakur turned two.
That age difference makes the matchup a hard sell as a competitive fight. If Shakur wins easily, how much credit does he get for beating a man nearly two decades older? If he boxes his way to a quiet decision, Pacquiao’s name may bring viewers to Netflix, but the fight may give them little reason to watch Shakur again.
Pacquiao’s fame can make this a major event. Turning it into a fight that helps Shakur is another matter. First, both men need to agree to terms; neither has received a bout agreement.
About the author
Boxing News 24 Desk
BoxingNews24.com has delivered independent boxing coverage since 2007, including original news, fight analysis, schedules, and results. Our experienced boxing writers cover major fighters and events worldwide, with published content reviewed by editors for accuracy.
Boxing
Teofimo Lopez Set to Defend World Title on Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Undercard – Boxing News
Published
12 hours agoon
September 23, 2026
Teofimo Lopez has been offered a slot on the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua card, which is set to take place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11.
‘The Takeover’ comes off a majority decision victory over Rolando Romero, who he dethroned last month after surviving a genuine scare in round five.
In reality, though, it was a far more convincing win than the scorecards suggested and, despite suffering a one-sided defeat to Shakur Stevenson in January, Lopez proved that he remains a highly-skilled operator at world level.
But while he has expressed an interest in unification matches at 147lbs, particularly one against WBC champion Ryan Garcia, the 29-year-old must first make a mandatory defence and retain his WBA title.
He has, in other words, been ordered to face Jack Catterallwho claimed his WBA ‘Regular’ title by producing arguably a career-best performance to unanimously outpoint Shakhram Giyasov in May.
Lopez, meanwhile, had attempted to swerve his mandatory duty and, according to boxing journalist Dan Rafaelis considering vacating his welterweight belt in pursuit of more lucrative opportunities.
If he is to proceed with the Catterall fight, however, then the three-division world champion could end up featuring on the expected Fury-Joshua card later this year.
Equally, Catterall has taken to social media and acknowledged that, as the champion, Lopez can choose to defend his title on home soil.
“Hey mate [Lopez]you fancy scrapping on the [Fury-Joshua] card? If not don’t worry, I’ll come to America and get my belt. Either way I’ll see you soon champ.”
Hey mate @TeofimoLopez you fancy scrapping on the fury aj card ? If not don’t worry I’ll come to America and get my belt. Either way I’ll see you soon champ 🤝 https://t.co/l6tDpimzE9
— Jack Catterall (@jack_catt93) September 22, 2026
According to WBA president Gilberto Mendoza, both parties have until October 22 to reach an agreement or risk a purse bid hearing being called.
Caio Borralho explains why he accepted risky UFC 334 matchup
Joshua vs Fury Confirmed for December 11 in Cardiff on Netflix
Morning Report | Raul Rosas Jr. still aiming to be youngest UFC champion, retire by 25
Trending
-
MMA2 days agoManel Kape says he’ll make Joshua Van fight look ‘easy’
-
MMA2 days agoMagomed Ankalaev tells Paulo Costa: ‘I’m your get-out-of-jail-free card’
-
MMA2 days agoDemetrious Johnson spots his lesson in Arman Tsarukyans UFC 331 KO
-
MMA2 days agoPatricio ‘Pitbull’ made peace after 11 years, then delivered a UFC TKO
-
MMA2 days agoUFC legend Mark Hominick carrying coach Shawn Tompkins' legacy 15 years after tragedy
-
Boxing2 days agoJack Catterall Calls Out Teofimo Lopez Following WBA Order
-
MMA2 days agoShavkat Rakhmonov is back to wrestling in encouraging UFC return sign
-
MMA2 days agoValter Walker admits foot problem has him doubting UFC title hopes


