Will Six division world champion Manny ‘Pac Man’ Pacquiao, at 46, break former heavyweight champion ‘Big’ George Foreman’s record of winning the world title at age 45?
Current WBC World Welterweight champion Mario ‘El Azteca’ Barrios, 29-2-1, of San Antonio, Texas, is negotiating a title defense against Pacquiao in June or July. Barrios had his last defense in November of 2024, ending in a split draw with Abel Ramos, 28-6-2, at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas. It was also the previous bout for Ramos. What seemed like a reason for a rematch has not developed.
Pacquiao’s last fight was in August of 2021, losing to Yordenis Ugas, 26-4, at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. In September of 2023, Ugas lost to Barrios for the WBC Interim World Welterweight title at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Foreman, then 72-4, still holds the record as the oldest to win a world title at age 45, knocking out IBF World heavyweight champion Michael ‘Double M’ Moorer, 35-0, at MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada.
The only other boxer to win a world title at 40 or over was ‘Ruby’ Bob Fitzsimmons at age 40. He defeated George Gardner, 38-4-3, over 20 rounds, at Mechanics Pavilion, San Francisco, California.
Will the ‘Pac Man’ become the third, not only to win a world title over 40, but the oldest at 46?
