Key events
Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz has won a 10-round unanimous decision over late replacement Omar Salcido in a junior welterweight contest. Two of the ringside judges handed down scores of 99-89 while the third had it a 100-88 shutout. Cruz nearly closed the show in the final round, battering his opponent until he was dinged with a long-overdue point deduction for holding, then scoring a knockdown before Salcido was saved by the bell.
The 27-year-old Cruz controlled the action throughout but struggled at times to draw out his opponent, who reverted to clinching and retreating early on. It marked Salcido’s second straight loss following a wide decision defeat to Andy Cruz in January, and Cruz’s second consecutive victory since losing the WBA title to Jose Valenzuela last August.
Just one undercard bout to go before the main event and it’s a juicy one: Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu in a 12-rounder for Fundora’s WBC junior middleweight title.
Preamble
Las Vegas has never shied away from a nostalgia act and tonight is no exception. At 46 years old, Manny Pacquiao, one of boxing’s most decorated and beloved champions, steps back into a professional ring for the first time in nearly four years, chasing one more title for a résumé overflowing with them.
He faces Mario Barrios, the 30-year-old WBC welterweight champion with youth, size and momentum on his side. It’s a steep climb for the Filipino legend, who is giving up six inches in height, four inches in reach and more than a decade and a half in age. But this is the same Pacquiao who’s made a career of overcoming odds. Eight divisions. Twelve major world titles. One Hall of Fame induction, just last month in Canastota, New York.
Can Pacquiao, who last tasted victory in 2019, still compete at the highest level? Or will Barrios, soft-spoken but confident, send the fighting senator into retirement once and for all?
The build-up has been respectful, almost reverent. Barrios, who held onto his title with a narrow split draw against Abel Ramos last fall, knows what he’s up against: a southpaw whose rhythm was hard to replicate, whose footwork flummoxed, whose heart never really left the fight game. “Manny is one of a kind,” he said. “But I’m the champion now.”
Pacquiao, meanwhile, insists he’s ready. “The passion is still there,” he said this week. “Even with the layoff, the fire to compete and be a champion again is still burning.” He’s been training with the intensity of his younger years, sparring and running with the same monastic discipline that turned him into a global icon. The last time he fought at the MGM Grand, he outpointed the then-undefeated Keith Thurman in a modest upset. He’s hoping history repeats.
Also on tonight’s bill: a fiery rematch between Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu in the super welterweight co-main. Their March meeting was one of the most gruesome and punishing contests of the year and the rematch promises no less.
So here we are. Pacquiao, back under the lights. Back in Vegas. Back for a belt. Time may be undefeated, but Pacman hasn’t given up the fight. Stay with us for live round-by-round coverage, results and reaction as the night unfolds.
Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s Donald McRae’s report from the heavyweight happenings at Wembley a few hours ago.
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