Pacquiao, Barrios size each other up

Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios are facing off for the first time on Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines) in Las Vegas as part of a two-city promotional tour for their 19 July world welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand.

From Sin City, the two-leg media tour will hit Los Angeles on Tuesday.

American dealmaker Sean Gibbons, who is running Pacquiao’s affairs, told DAILY TRIBUNE that from Sin City, they will head to New York for the Filipino eight-division legend’s enshrinement in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota.

Pacquiao, 46, is gunning for the World Boxing Council welterweight crown of Mario Barrios, 30, in what will be his first professional bout in almost four years.

He retired after being upset by Yordenis Ugas of Cuba but came back doing a pair of exhibition matches the last couple of years.

Owing to Pacquiao’s inactivity and age, oddsmakers have installed Barrios, who also towers over Pacquiao at close to six feet, the heavy favorite.