Why Pacquiao’s Fight With Barrios Was More Rare Than George Foreman Winning Heavyweight Title At 45

Manny Pacquiao will be 47 years young soon and the Filipino legend is looking to box for a world title again quite soon against most likely Rolly Romero.

Romero having won the title earlier in 2025 against Ryan Garcia in strong form.

Pacquiao did the impossible though in 46 that was such a special, unique story in all of world sport, that history will note it as much as time goes on.

When George Foreman came back to win the heavyweight title years later after being in exile from boxing at the age of 45 when he knocked out a much younger Michael Moorer, that transcended boxing as a sport and was bigger than boxing.

Why Pacquiao’s Fight With Barrios Was More Rare Than George Foreman Winning Heavyweight Title At 45

Foreman became the oldest heavyweight champion in boxing history.

A record that still stands today, after all these years on.

But Pacquiao was 46 years old earlier this year during the summer when he boxed 30-year-old WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

He came into the fight in terrible form in his bout before that nearly been stopped in a type of exhibition.

Alas, he got it together and got back with his old trainer Freddie Roach and their old Wild Card gym connection sparked what most believe was ‘Pacman’ deserving to become champion after fighting 12 hard rounds with Barrios.

The bout was scored a draw but most observers and fans believe Pacquiao should now be the WBC welterweight champion.

What’s more, it has been shown over time and over the history of the sport that heavyweights have an ability to boxing on much longer into their 40s and beyond in some cases due to their size perceived to helping them do this.

This concept has proof in divisions nearby when you look at the oldest world champion in boxing history ever with Bernard Hopkins at light-heavyweight becoming the oldest champion at world professional level ever against Tavoris Cloud at the age of 48.

So for Pacquiao all the way down at welterweight to essentially almost do what Hopkins did, is one of a kind.

Unmatchable in many ways due to Pacquiao’s tiny size, unheard of for small division fighters in history.

There is also talk that Pacquiao could fight one Floyd Mayweather in a big rematch many years on after their first fight that Mayweather won on points.

Whatever he does, Pacquiao will have the fans with him as always.

He also became a Hall of Fame member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2025 while actually still being an active fighter.

Pacquiao is bigger than boxing, much bigger, he is bigger than his country of the Philippines.

He is a legend of sport and civilization.