Amir Khan Condemns Manny Pacquiao’s ‘Risky’ World Title Pursuit Against Mario Barrios, Disputes Barrios’ Merit, And Selfishly Inserts Himself Into Comeback Plans

Amir Khan says Manny Pacquiao, 46, shouldn’t face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in his comeback fight on July 19th. Khan feels that it’s a “tricky fight” for Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) because of his age and inactivity and because he’s fighting the much younger 29-year-old Barrios (29-2-1, 19 KOs). Khan, 38, suggests that Pacquiao should fight Barrios instead because then the clash would be more even, because they’re both retired.

The WBC drew heat this week with their decision to give the inactive Pacquiao a #5 ranking at welterweight. He hasn’t fought since 2021, and his last win was in 2019. Fans see it as criminal for the WBC to give Pacquiao a #5 ranking after four years of inactivity and a loss to Yordenis Ugas. They have Manny ranked ahead of Rohan Polanco and Eimantas Stanionis. Those two fighters would likely wipe out what’s left of Pacquiao.

Barrios’ “Deserves”?

“It’s a fantastic fight for Mario, he needs that big fight. He’ll be paid well and fighting a legend like Manny Pacquiao,” said Amir Khan to Sky Sports Boxing about Mario Barrios getting a fight against Pacquiao.

Barrios will make a lot of money, and he might even lose. He looked hellish in his last fight against Abel Ramirez, and he has never been an impressive fighter. His losses to Gervonta Davis and a ring-rusty Keith Thurman showed that he’s below average.

“Mario deserves this fight because every fighter wants that big payday. I don’t know how much Manny’s got left in him,” said Khan. “If they were in their prime, in their peak, then I’d say all day Manny Pacquiao. But this could be a tricky fight for Pacquiao.”

I don’t know about Barrios deserving a fight against Pacquiao. Where in Mario’s career resume has he done something special that makes him deserve a giant payday against the former eight-division world champion Pacquiao? Barrios’ resume is pretty empty.

Barrios’ Best Wins

– Yordenis Ugas – 37 at the time, coming off a knockout loss to Errol Spence
– Botirzhon Akhmedov
– Fabian Maidana
– Devis Boschiero
– Jovanie Santiago

Barrios is a textbook definition of a paper champion. He was elevated to his WBC welterweight title status, then fought to a questionable draw against journeyman Abel Ramos in a fight that fans believe he should have lost. Now, he’s about to fight Pacquiao. Khan says Barrios deserves the Pacman fight, but I don’t see him deserving anything other than to be stripped.

Khan’s Me-First Move?

“I’m sure he’s going to come in wanting to win this fight because it can change his life,” said Khan about Barrios.  “If I were to advise Manny, I wouldn’t say to come back. You should come back to someone who’s already retired, someone like myself.”

Notice how Khan’s self-serving tactic with him inserting his own name in the Pacquiao sweepstake. Khan should be happy for Barrios that he’s going to get that big payday against the still popular retired 46-year-old Pacquiao, rather than trying to make a case for him fighting him. Khan’s poor results at the end of his career make him unsuitable for Pacquiao. He lost two out of his last three fights before retiring. Pacquiao has nothing to gain from fighting Khan because he’s after world titles to add to his legacy. There’s no upside in fighting the washed 38-year-old Khan, who hasn’t fought in three years since 2022.