WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios speaks during a news conference at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on July 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Barrios is scheduled to defend his title against Manny Pacquiao, who announced he was coming out of retirement nearly four years after his last fight, on July 19 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP
For more Pacquiao vs Barrios stories: The Pacquiao Files
LAS VEGAS–Mario Barrios’ trainer Bob Santos doesn’t want to make the same mistake twice of underestimating a 40-something Manny Pacquiao.
Santos picked Keith Thurman to beat Manny Pacquiao, convinced there’s no way a 40-year-old could stand a chance against a younger and bigger, undefeated champion in 2019.
READ: Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios: ‘Real fight, all-out war’
Santos was at ringside when Pacquiao proved him wrong by claiming the WBA welterweight title and he learned something that night–a valuable lesson that would come in handy six years later.
“I thought there’s no way Manny Pacquiao could beat this guy. It’s impossible,” recalled Santos on Wednesday. “I’m thinking Manny shouldn’t be doing this fight this is too much. I’m watching, sitting at ringside, then boom, Thurman’s down. I’m in the sixth round, I can’t believe what I’m witnessing. He’s gonna run out of gas. The 12th round happens, and new.’”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. This isn’t real what I’ve seen and that’s the Manny Pacquiao I’m getting ready for,” he added.
READ: Who is Mario Barrios? Meet Manny Pacquiao’s comeback foe
Santos doesn’t believe that Pacquiao is no longer the same fighter he once was when he beat Thurman.
“They said the Keith Thurman was already [six] years ago. But that’s what they also said about him going into that fight. That’s what I said. There’s no way [he’s beating Thurman] he’s in his 40s now. Well, he’s still in his 40s, so what the hell is the difference with that guy? And he lives a clean lifestyle, don’t forget,” he said.
Santos said a 45-year-old George Foreman knocking out a much younger Michael Moorer in their heavyweight world title fight in 1994 is a prime example why Pacquiao remains formidable even after all these years.
Santos said Barrios, who risks his WBC welterweight belt, underwent a rigorous 13-week training camp in Las Vegas and is ready for an all-out war from the get-go up to the final bell.
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“This is the hardest camp Mario Barrios has ever had in his career,” said Santos.