TOKYO (AP) — Manny Pacquiao said Monday that a title fight with Mario Barrios is planned, with details still being negotiated.
Pacquiao, a former world champion who retired in 2021, was speaking in Japan on Monday to promote his three-round exhibition boxing match against Japanese mixed martial artist Chihiro Suzuki on July 28.
“We’re still in negotiations,” Pacquiao, 45, said of a possible WBC welterweight title bout with Barrios, “and we’re in discussions about it. The fight hasn’t happened yet, but the negotiations are ongoing.”
He suggested the eventual bout would be in November or December, but said his heart was with Suzuki.
“I want to tell you guys, this is not an exhibition. This is a fight, a three-round match,” Pacquiao said. “I’m going for a knockout in this fight, so there will be some intense action in the ring, so please come and watch. Of course, I will do my best to win by knockout. Thank you.”
Pacquiao lost the 2022 Philippine presidential election.
His career boxing record is 62 wins (39 KOs), 8 losses and 2 draws.
Suzuki knows he’s dealing with a legend.
“In a way, this is a challenge for me,” he said. “It’s a real honour to fight someone who made history, so I’m going to face him with all my respect. For me, this is one of the biggest challenges of my life, a test that I have to overcome.”
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