Fearing the Worst for Manny Pacquiao, Sugar Ray Leonard Issues One Line Motivation for Mario Barrios Fight

Manny Pacquiao officially announced “I’m back” yesterday for his title fight against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. The pair is scheduled to square off on July 19, 2025, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. However, not everyone is thrilled about his comeback, including boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard.

Leonard has had more than his fair share of comebacks, returning to the ring multiple times toward the end of his boxing career. However, he doesn’t want the 46-year-old to make the same mistakes he did during his time under the bright lights. While attending the 13th Annual ‘Big Fighters, Big Cause’ Charity Boxing Night at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, the 69-year-old reflected on his own experience before sharing advice for ‘PacMan’.

“When I came back, that one horrible time, it was all me, it was my mindset, it was the way I thought,” the former five-division champion said. “I believed I could win. I trained hard, but, you know what, I won’t do it again. But I can’t tell someone, ‘Don’t do that’.’” Despite his regrets about his own “comebacks”, Leonard suggested that he can’t tell Pacquiao not to make his return in the sport he loves so much.

HOLLYWOOD, CA – MAY 25: Sugar Ray Leonard attends B. Riley & Co. and Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation’s 7th Annual “Big Fighters, Big Cause” Charity Boxing Night at Dolby Theatre on May 25, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation )

However, when pressed about some advice for the eight-division champion, Sugar Ray Leonard issued a one-line motivation for Manny Pacquiao. “Just be healthy and do what you think you can do,” Leonard said during the interview. It’s worth noting that PacMan hasn’t fought professionally in four years, since losing to Yordenis Ugas in 2021. He hasn’t even won a fight in six years, after edging out Keith Thurman via split decision in 2019.

Leonard, on the other hand, originally retired in 1982 after eye surgery for a detached retina, but two years later, on May 11, 1984, he came back and defeated Kevin Howard. Despite a win, his performance was not what it used to be, which led to another retirement shortly after. Yet, on April 6, 1987, he came back to fight Marvin Hagler for the WBC middleweight title, winning the fight via a controversial split decision. 

In 1991, Leonard suffered a loss against Terry Norris via unanimous decision and announced his retirement, only to make a comeback again in 1997, where he lost again via TKO to Hector Camacho. Regardless, the question is, does ‘Pac-Man’ worry about the 16-year age gap with his opponent?

Manny Pacquiao shares stance on 16-year age gap in 4 words

Despite widespread doubts from fans, especially considering Pacquiao’s lackluster performance before retirement, his confidence remains intact. The boxing legend, set to return to the ring later this summer, addressed the age difference with a laugh during a May 19 interview with FightHype, showing no signs of concern.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – MAY 19: < Manny Pacquiao poses for a portrait during a training session at the Elorde boxing Gym on May 19, 2017 in Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

When asked about the 16-year age gap between him and Mario Barrios, 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao responded with just four words. “Don’t worry about it.” Pacquiao’s longtime trainer Buboy Fernandez also weighed in, telling FightHype, “Don’t judge the number, judge the punch,” urging fans to focus on Pacquiao’s power, not his age.

That being said, despite assurances from Manny Pacquiao and the people in his team, it appears people are still not 100% about his abilities. Whether ‘Pac-Man’ can prove them wrong is yet to be seen, but what do you think? 

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