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Return of Pacquiao: Legacy Risk for boxing legend, WBC Sanction is questioned

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Image: Manny Pacquiao's Comeback: 46-Year-Old Legend to Challenge Mario Barrios for WBC Welterweight Title, Igniting Meritocracy Debate

The news spread that Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KO) will fight Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KO) at the Barrios welterweight belt. Many commentators are nervous, because in addition to his current age, Pacquiao is approaching four years of idleness, since losing to Yordenis Ugas in 2021. One of the overarching narratives was that Pacquiao jumps in a queue, apart from younger, more dynamic warriors who fought for a shot in the title.

Although a bit true, it is challenging to argue that manny, thanks to his achievements, did not deserve the right to challenge the title at his own request. In the first years he served sport honorably, providing thrilling, full of fighting and bringing fans from around the world to boxing. Pacquiao was a walking roller in front of Saudi money, dazem or fixation on undefeated records. It has been proven that he was able to postpone time for his father time and always fought the best as he could in every fight, sometimes thrown in pursuit of the opponent.

Risk Return Pacquiao

The second, more vital argument is that Pacquiao risks its health by fighting at an advanced age of 46. In his youth, Pacquiao had enough strength to avoid caught pure blows in a full fight for the championship. Using a mixture of leg work to rush and leave and a solid guard, he pulled a shock from many shots. He would also return the fire in the middle of a combination of opponents. In his recent fights with Thurman and Ugas, Pacquiao’s head was repeatedly withdrawn because of his inability to predict shots, tiring his legs and the lack of distance between themselves and the opponent. As a cultural phenomenon, it would be a shame to see how Pacquiao maintains constant damage when his career finally ends, if he did not yet. As a legend of boxing, it would be another example of what happens when the warrior exaggerates with greeting. Time will tell what impact his many wars had on his brain, but it seems that in his best interest it would be to suspend gloves and enjoy the fruits of his delivery.

It is intriguing that WBC sanction this fight and defends his decision. Over the years, Mauricio Sulaiman has opposed women fighting with three rounds and twelve rounds of struggle for the championship because they can risk constant brain injury, which is a risk that every boxer takes when they enter the ring. A fight in which one warrior is approaching 50, while the other is still at their best level, seems to be a more dramatic risk of security than two women with similar competing skills. Prohibiting women taking the most basic risk in boxing (knocking), while enabling freakshow sanctions in such a way that your organization sends a clear message. Sulaiman stands on the road the size of women.

Barrios: Weaker master?

It is true that Barrios is the least hazardous champion at 147 pounds, but Pacquiao still takes a great risk, depending on his worn battle, a 46-year-old body to lead him to victory. While Pacquiao will still have strangely bulky hands, the decisive factor will be the strength of the section. Barrios is not power, but if he manages to survive the early stages of the fight, he may be able to win a victory over the aging legend.

The purpose of this fight is to handle the Pacquiao heritage. He is addressed to the perceived weakest master in his weight class and hopes that he will make history, taking his record of being the oldest welterweight champion. But at the age of 46, how much does he still offer?

We will undoubtedly see the flashes of Pac-Man when the night-kill of strokes with awkward angles comes. The show of his will, which was broken only once, made him unconscious. It will be kind in victory or failure. But when the events of the evening are prescribed in countless articles on the internet, they will be far from the stories told during his years of killing monsters and giants, casting impossible combinations and confirming that the heroes are not promotion products, but are created by the circumstances they endure, and the stories we talk about them.

Last updated 21.05.2025

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Keyshawn Davis Claims He’s ‘Increasing Weight For Championship Fight’

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Keyshawn Davis says he is ‘moving up in weight for championship fight’

Keyshawn Davis has been linked to a move up to welterweight in recent weeks, and it appears “The Businessman” will be making the jump soon, with the “championship fight” date reportedly set at 147 pounds.

Davis was stripped of his WBO lightweight title when he missed weight last June for his scheduled first defense against Edwin De Los Santos. He then moved up to super lightweight and knocked out Jamaine Ortiz in the final round of their fight on the Teofimo Lopez vs. card. Shakur Stevenson.

In the wake of that victory, the Norfolk-born superstar called for a fight against current WBO welterweight world champion Devin Haney, who originally agreed to the fight before negotiations stalled.

As a result, it looked like Davis might stay at 140 pounds, but in… interview for FightHubThe 27-year-old revealed that he has a date for a “championship fight” in preparation for his 147-pound debut.

“I definitely got a response [from the people I called out] and I definitely have a date too. I’m telling you all this now and I’ll definitely be back sooner than you all think. That’s why you saw me playing politics in the gym.

“It’s political, but I’m really staying pointed. Don’t fuck up, I’m staying astute. There’s something coming.”

“I think I’m moving up [to 147lbs]. Yes, [for a championship fight]”

Haney seemed to be close to securing a unification fight with WBA champion Rolando Romero Lewis Crocker (IBF) postponed his match with Liam Paro due to injuryand Ryan Garcia (WBC) is looking elsewhere. It’s unclear where Davis fits.

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Haney rejects Romero’s triangle theory after Ryan’s theorem

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Image: Devin Haney rejects Rolando Romero’s triangle theory after Ryan Garcia claim

The comment came as Rolly, 30, was discussing Haney and the possibility of the two 147-pound champions meeting in the ring.

Haney responded on social media today after comments that went viral, rejecting Romero’s argument and saying that results involving other fighters do not determine the outcome of a future fight.

“Triangle theories don’t work in boxing,” Haney said on Program X. “Rolly will be strengthened by me.”

Former undisputed lightweight champion Haney then further mocked that logic by listing a string of results involving several fighters.

“Rolly was shaped by Barroso, Barroso was shaped by O’Hara Davies, Davies was shaped by Josh Taylor, Taylor was shaped by Teo, Teo was shaped by Kambosos, it all leads back to ME,” Haney said.

The exchange of words takes place as both fighters continue to discuss a possible unification fight in the welterweight division. Rolly holds the WBA title and Haney holds the WBO belt, creating the potential for a two-belt fight if negotiations are completed.

There have been discussions about rescheduling the fight between both champions for later this year, although neither side has confirmed that a deal has been finalized.

Devin will likely enter the fight as the clear favorite against Rolly (17-2, 13 KO), who moved up to welterweight after competing at a lighter weight earlier in his career.

Romero defeated Ryan Garcia via 12-round unanimous decision on May 2, 2025, which increased attention on potential welterweight fights. The fight took place in Recent York and was one of the biggest victories in Romero’s career.

He hasn’t fought since that victory, analyzing possible high-profile fights.

One issue with Romero’s schedule is his tardy mandatory defense against Shakhram Giyasov. The Uzbek contender has been a top contender for the WBA title for a long time, but a title fight has not been ordered or finalized yet.

It is unclear whether the WBA will allow Romero to directly enter a unification fight with Haney without meeting Giyasov first. Sanctioning bodies sometimes allow champions to postpone mandatory defenses before unification fights, although no decision has been announced.

Negotiations between Haney and Romero are still ongoing.

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Heavyweight “Last Viking” with 14 knockouts in just 26 rounds

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Thomas Narmo 2026

Boxing has long been crying out for another true knockout artist after Deontay Wilder’s gradual decline towards the end of his career.

There are still champions and challengers in the heavyweight division, but it’s increasingly arduous to find the kind of raw knockout threat that once made Wilder must-watch TV.

Thomas Narmo may still be a long way from that level, but early signs suggest the Norwegian known as ‘The Last Viking’ could finally enter the conversation if his current form continues.

The 31-year-old knocked out all 14 of his opponents in just 26 rounds, a devastating start that made the heavyweight division another uncommon artist who can boast a 100 percent knockout record.

He turned professional in 2022 following his previous MMA career.

The heavyweight numbers stand out

Much of the heavyweight buzz at the moment centers around undefeated prospect Moses Itauma, a teenage sensation who has been carefully developed by promoter Frank Warren into one of the UK’s most talked-about prospects.

Itauma’s rise has dominated the headlines, but an unknown like Narmo coming out of European competition with a perfect knockout record provides a refreshing contrast.

However, the effectiveness of Narmo’s work to date cannot be ignored.

The statuesque Norwegian is 180 cm statuesque and in the distance he broke through 14 professional opponents. That works out to roughly 1.8 rounds per fight, which is a remarkable finishing rate for any potential heavyweight.

Many of these attacks barely had time to develop.

Seven of Narmo’s wins have come after the opening round, highlighting the strength of the early fight that defined his perfect knockout record.

This destructiveness traditionally turns heavyweights into attractions. Fighters who can end fights before they actually start quickly attract attention, even if they operate outside the sport’s main promotional spotlight.

Two years of operation

Activism also played a role in building Narmo’s momentum. The Norwegian fought ten times in just two years, fighting mainly in Germany and Central Europe, constantly extending his knockout streak.

At a time when many prospects are sluggish to come along and only show up a few times a year, this level of activity adds extra substance to his record.

It doesn’t answer all the questions, but it shows that Narmo doesn’t stay idle between appearances.

@narmothomas | Black Wolves Fighting Club

Still a lot to prove

Narmo’s most notable win at the moment is probably that of Mark De Mori, the veteran campaigner who lasted just 131 seconds in a match against a semi-injured David Haye over a decade ago.

The victory was respectable, but not necessarily a statement.

There is still a lot to prove. In the heavyweight division, many fighters have broken impressive records before discovering that the leap to world-class competition is much more arduous than expected.

For Narmo, the real test will come when matchmaking inevitably pushes him towards higher ranked opponents capable of weathering the early storm.

However, if knockouts continue at this rate, boxing’s “Last Viking” may not remain an unknown for long.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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