Manny Pacquiao, left, and WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios pose at a news conference Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
For more Pacquiao vs Barrios stories: The Pacquiao Files
LAS VEGAS – Outside boxing, Manny Pacquiao and Mike Tyson are on opposing ends of the spectrum.
But inside the ring, the two legends are cut from the same cloth–that’s how Mario Barrios’ trainer Bob Santos described Pacquiao.
Santos compared the eight-division champion’s cold-blooded mentality to Tyson’s.
READ: Mario Barrios’ trainer Bob Santos not making same mistake twice
“He’s the biggest killer inside the ring, even more so in a sense than Mike Tyson,” said Santos. “Because with Mike Tyson, I know there’s the bravado, and he wants to kill you. But a lot of times he fell short because he didn’t have the lifestyle of a Manny Pacquiao.”
“When Manny Pacquiao executes his mind and what he’s trying to do, guess what, if you don’t knock him out, you’re gonna take a lot of damn punishment for that entire fight.”
At his peak, Pacquiao went on a devastating stretch that saw him demolish world champions and legends one weight class after another. He did it with kindness too.
READ: Pacquiao recovers movement from his ‘greatest fight’
“He’s an absolute assassin, he’s an absolute killer. The nicest guy. Manny Pacquiao has never disrespected me. He never disrespected Robert Guerrero, but once you step in that ring, you better get ready,” said Santos, referring to his former fighter and world champion Robert Guerrero, who once sparred with Pacquiao early in his career.
“Like I said, ask Erik Morales how well that worked out for him, ask Margarito how well that worked out for him, ask Oscar De La Hoya, he didn’t have the kill or be killed mindset and he sent him into retirement. You don’t play with Manny Pacquiao when you get in the ring. If you don’t have that kill or be killed mindset with him, it’s goodnight, Irene.”
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