“Absolutely,” Oscar De La Hoya, who lost to Manny Pacquiao back in 2008, told reporters when asked if boxing’s only eight-division world champion could win the July 19th fight against Mario Barrios. “Manny Pacquiao’s a legend. I think he can do it,” he added. While the WBC welterweight champion has had a shaky 2024, escaping with a split decision draw against Abel Ramos in November and escaping narrowly with a unanimous decision win against Fabian Maidana in May, De La Hoya isn’t counting him out entirely. “It’s not gonna be easy but I think he can do it,” he added, wishing Pacquiao all the best ahead of his high-stakes comeback. But not everyone shares De La Hoya’s optimism.

Like, say, Paul Malignaggi, the former IBF light welterweight world champion and boxing analyst. For Malignaggi, Manny Pacquiao’s return to the ring after a four-year hiatus, especially for the WBC Welterweight title bout, is far from encouraging. On top of it, the 46-year-old legend faces a 16-year age gap against Mario Barrios, a fighter who’s been actively fighting since 2013. Add to that Pacquiao’s unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas in his last outing, and the doubts grow louder. So while fans are clinging to hope, legacy, and the brilliance of the eight-division world champion’s past, Malignaggi argues that legacy alone may not be enough to bridge the gap.

A few hours ago, Paulie TV shared a video featuring Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi breaking down the upcoming Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios clash, set to take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. When asked for his final thoughts on the fight, Malignaggi gave a blunt response. “No. No. I think either guy could win, honestly,” the 44-year-old replied. When pressed for a prediction, he shrugged it off. “Not really, bro. Honestly, it wouldn’t shock me to see Manny winning. I think Mario Barrios sucks. I am appalled that that guy’s a world champion.”

Malignaggi didn’t hold back in his criticism of Barrios, referencing his back-to-back losses to Gervonta Davis in 2021 and Keith Thurman in 2022. “Every time I see him fight, I’m like, ‘That guy’s bad. Man, is he bad,” he said, clearly unimpressed. While his critique of the 30-year-old might suggest he’s leaning toward Pacquiao, he still didn’t give the eight-division world champion a free pass.

“Pacquiao could win. It wouldn’t shock me,” the boxing analyst admitted. “Also wouldn’t shock me to see him lose [either].” Why? He then went on to point out Manny Pacquiao’s lackluster performance in his 2024 exhibition match against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo as a red flag, especially given his age. “So lets see what he’s got left at 46 years old. But I don’t know. I highly doubt he’s going to show up not juicing. There’s no way at 46 years old, having taken the damage he’s taken, he can show up clean to this fight,” he claimed.

In the end, Malignaggi wrapped up with a final dose of skepticism, questioning how Manny Pacquiao’s high-impact, offense-heavy style could hold up at this stage of his life. He added, “I think most people that would use their common sense, looking at a career that’s been that long and has been high impact, too. He wasn’t exactly a defensive specialist, taking a lot of punches. It takes a toll on you, usually shortens your career.”

Now, while Paul Malignaggi isn’t convinced Manny Pacquiao is in fighting shape, the legendary boxer’s longtime coach has a very different take. And he’s ready to prove the critics wrong.

Step aside, Mario Barrios, it’s Manny Pacquiao’s time to shine, again!

‘PacMan’ has officially kicked off training for his highly anticipated return, with footage of his outdoor workouts already making the rounds on social media. But for a closer look, reporter Elie Seckbach of ES News visited Manny Pacquiao’s private gym in Las Vegas to get the inside scoop. There, he caught up with Justin Fortune, Pacquiao’s long-time strength and conditioning coach, who reflected on how the first week of camp had unfolded.

Fortune admitted that things are moving “a little bit slower” to start, given Pacquiao’s age and his extended time away from the sport. Still, he made it clear that training will “go full steam ahead” in the coming weeks. His parting words? “Watch out, we are coming.”

Despite Fortune’s optimism, doubts remain about what the 46-year-old boxing icon can still offer inside the ring. One of the most notable skeptics is Bob Arum, Manny Pacquiao’s former promoter and the head of Top Rank. In a recent interview, Arum admitted his concern: “It seems really questionable that, at his age, he would put himself at risk by going into the ring with a champion fighter.” Yet, even Arum couldn’t deny the legendary status of his former fighter, adding, “If anybody can do it, he can do it.”

The uncertainty surrounding the Filipino legend’s comeback is echoed in the larger boxing conversation as well. Just as questions swirl around Terence Crawford’s readiness for his potential clash with Canelo Alvarez, given that Crawford hasn’t fought in for a year, Manny Pacquiao faces even steeper odds, having been out of the ring for four!

And while age and inactivity are valid concerns, both men are backed by the belief that their extraordinary skill sets can close the gap. So, do you agree with Malignaggi’s skepticism? Or are you betting on ‘PacMan’ to pull off the impossible once more?