MANILA, Philippines — Count Mexican ring icon Marco Antonio Barrera among those pining to see Manny Pacquiao fight Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“I want to see that fight,” Barrera said during Thursday’s final press conference of Pinoy Pride 25 at Bayview Park Hotel.
“It has to happen for the people’s sake,” added Barrera, who lost twice to Pacquiao in the course of his storied career.
Refusing to predict who would win if Mayweather-Pacquiao happens, Barrera said boxing fans will emerge the winner.
The 40-year-year-old Barrera, a former two-time World Boxing Organization super bantam, lineal featherweight and World Boxing Council/International Boxing Federation super featherweight champion, is in Manila to provide support to three Mexican boxers in tomorrow’s fight card headlined by the rematch between WBO champion Donnie Nietes and Moises Fuentes.
As early as four years ago, Barrera had said that while Mayweather has the edge in boxing skills, Pacquiao has the advantage as far as foot and hand speed is concerned.
Pacquiao considers Barrera, ranked among the 50 greatest boxers by ESPN, as among the best he has faced.