The Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios fight format explained: rounds, weigh-in, rules...

Manny Pacquiao is set to return to the ring this weekend after being inactive for five years due to the legendary Filipino fighter pursuing a political career. The World Boxing Council has given him an opportunity to fight for a World Championship against the Mexican Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs), who, with age on his side is heavily fancied to beat ‘Pacman’ in Las Vegas.

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has also tipped the Mexican to beat the legend claiming: “Barrios isn’t the greatest world champion, but I think he’s better than what we saw last time when he boxed on the Mike Tyson undercard (Barrios tied with Abel Ramos), and I think he’ll beat Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) pretty easily. I’m happy for Manny, but if it happens that way, you’ll see a legend in the ring, which I find quite sad,” Hearn said.

“But, listen, if he wants to do it and has the will, I wish him the best of luck. But I don’t think he should be out for five years, without fighting anyone, and then come back to the top of the rankings just because he’s Manny Pacquiao. Make the fight, but it shouldn’t be for a world championship, in my opinion. But I don’t think he has a chance, even though Barrios hasn’t been at his best,” he said.

Fight format

The highly anticipated fight between Manny Pacquiao (now 46-years-old) and Mario Barrios this weekend in Las Vegas is scheduled for 12 rounds, with each round lasting three minutes, followed by a one-minute rest period.

Three judges will use the 10-point must system to score each round. The fighter who performs better in a round typically receives 10 points, while their opponent receives 9 or fewer (depending on performance, knockdowns, etc.).

For Saturday’s Las Vegas fight, 8-ounce gloves are used with the official weigh-in for the Manny vs. Barrios fight set to take place on Friday, July 18, 2025, the day before the fight on July 19th. Boxers are required to weigh in between 24 and 36 hours before the fight and for welterweight championship bouts, both fighters must weigh in at or below the 147-pound limit.

Manny vs Barrios: key times

The Vegas event is set to begin at 8pm (East Coast) on Saturday (July 19) with Pacquiao and Barrios are scheduled to make their ringwalks at 11pm ET, but as is often the case with live boxing events, these timings are subject to change.

• Date: Saturday, July 19
• Time: 8pm ET / 5pm PT
• Pacquiao vs Barrios main event ringwalks (approx): 11pm ET / 8pm PT

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