Overview

• The WBC placed Pacquiao fifth in its welterweight rankings under the Champion Emeritus rule to grant him a direct title shot against Barrios.
• Coach Justin Fortune said Pacquiao has begun camp at a slower tempo; he will ramp up full-speed training in the coming weeks.
• Oscar De La Hoya voiced concerns that Pacquiao’s speed could suffer at 46, giving the younger Barrios a potential advantage.
• Amir Khan warned that prolonged inactivity leaves Pacquiao vulnerable to a single punch against an active opponent.
• Barrios, coming off a challenging 2024 with tough bouts against Maidana and Ramos, said he’s ‘stocked’; he intends to stick to his game plan in Las Vegas.