STEVE’S SOAPBOX
in 1987. Leonard shocked Hagler by winning a split decision in what was one of the defining fights of the 1980s. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has defended his organization’s decision to sanction the Barrios- Pacquiao title bout by using that contest as an example: “Remember Sugar Ray Leonard? My father, Jose Sulaiman, and the WBC were criticized for making his fight versus Hagler. Manny Pacquiao has been licensed by
the WBC mandating that Kostya Tszyu face Julio Cesar Chavez (a personal favorite of the elder Sulaiman) for its junior welterweight belt in the summer of 2000. While Chavez was “just” 38, he’d been defeated soundly by fringe contender Willy Wise in October of the previous year and ended 1999 by stopping journeyman Buck Smith in three. Chavez was still a Mexican idol but an obviously diminished version of himself by the turn of the century.
six rounds at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix. Now, this has to be stated: Pacquiao isn’t exactly facing Thomas Hearns or even Donald Curry here. Barrios is a solid welterweight (ranked No. 3 by Ring Magazine), but the reality is that he’d be the heavy underdog versus unified Ring champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis and WBO beltholder Brian Norman. In his last outing back in November, Barrios had to come off
Nevada and passed all medicals and as a legendary WBC champion has been approved to fight by our organization. Let’s talk [on] July 20th.” Hey, like father, like son, right? As soon as the July 19 bout was made, the WBC ranked Pacquiao – who, remember, hasn’t won a fight since 2019 – fifth in its welterweight rankings. Chances are if he were deceased, they might have named him the mandatory challenger in recess. But there should be some context with the Leonard comparison. While it is true he was coming off a prolonged layoff, Leonard was just shy of 31 years of age when he returned to the ring. Pacquiao is closer to 50 than he is 40. Invariably there will be comparisons to the late George
Barrios (right) outpointed Pacquiao- conqueror Yordenis Ugas.
Foreman, who made history by becoming the oldest heavyweight world titleholder in boxing history when he knocked out Michael Moorer in 1994 at the age of 45. But it has to be noted that from the time that “Big George” began the second chapter of his career in 1987, he fought at least once every year until his eventual retirement in 1997. The most apt comparison is perhaps
the canvas and fight like hell to salvage a split draw against Abel Ramos. Pacquiao is picking low-hanging fruit to a certain degree. Some will give Barrios no credit if he wins, but the last we checked, this is prizefighting. The reality is that this is a great opportunity for him to make a sizable payday against a notable name while actually having a real chance at keeping his belt. The question here is: Can a 46-year- old Pacquiao defeat a 30-year-old Barrios? And if he can, what would that lead to? Who knows? This might actually be an entertaining bout. Besides, how many times can you see a current Hall of Famer in action?
Beforehand, Sulaiman did his best to justify Chavez’s position in the WBC rankings. Unfortunately, his faith in “J.C. Superstar” was not justified, as Chavez was crushed by Tszyu in
Pacquiao is closer to 50 than he is 40.
20 RINGMAGAZINE.COM
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker