The verbal war is on.

Bob Santos, the outspoken trainer of reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios, came out smoking over the weekend during his fighter’s open workout in Las Vegas.

Santos swears that Manny Pacquiao, who challenges Barrios on 19 July at the MGM Grand, only has two spots he’d find himself in after the fight.

“Either (the) hospital or (the) cemetery,” he boasted.

Whether those remarks are below the belt or simply done to hype the showdown will only be known after but Santos likewise defended Pacquiao’s choice as challenger to the WBC 147-pound throne.

“When they say that he’s an icon…worthy? There’s nobody more worthy of this opportunity (to fight for the world title) than Manny Pacquiao what he’s given to the sport.”

Pacquiao, 46, is fighting for the first time in almost four years.

Still, Santos insists that when the mushroom cloud dissipates, the hands of Barrios, 30, will be the ones that are going to be raised by referee Thomas Taylor.

“El Azteca is coming out victorious on July 19th and (you can) take that to the bank.”

While Santos is very vocal, Barrios, who stands six feet and holds a six-inch height advantage over the Filipino eight-division legend, is kind of diplomatic, sounding as though he is competing in a beauty pageant.

“He’s trying to do something that not a lot of fighters have so as a fighter I respect it but again, I’m a champion for a reason and I’m just looking to continue to prove why I’m holding the WBC belt,” Barrios said during a Q&A with reporters at the Pound For Pound Gym.

While Santos is providing the peppery quotes, Pacquiao’s backyard is still and calm with less than three weeks remaining before the scheduled 12-rounder.

Barrios is the heavily-favored fighter in this much-awaited duel with Pacquiao, whose bid has been met with criticisms owing to his inactivity and age.

Despite the glaring disparity in age, Pacquiao and his handlers are optimistic that they will overcome Barrios and set another record by becoming one of the oldest ever to win a world title.