Barrios camp holding key to Pacquiao downfall
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LAS VEGAS — Bob Santos, who calls the shots for reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Mario Barrios, believes they have the blueprint to beat Manny Pacquiao this Saturday at the MGM Grand.
And what is it, exactly?
The answer is simple.
Just look at the four fights featuring Pacquiao against Mexican counter-puncher Juan Manuel Marquez.
The first wound up as a draw in 2004 followed by Pacquiao wins on a split decision and majority verdict and then Marquez’s landmark sixth-round knockout victory in 2012.
Still, Santos is not putting all the eggs in one basket.
“Manny Pacquiao does a lot of damage to guys,” said Santos, citing the beatings that he had dealt to Erik Morales, Antonio Margarito, Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto.
“Even if he doesn’t knock you out, his fights prove damaging (to opponents).”
“You don’t play with Manny Pacquiao when you get in the ring. If you don’t have that kill or be killed mindset with him it’s Good night, Irene.”
Santos insists Barrios is not taking Pacquiao lightly even if he is already 46 years old and four years removed from his last professional fight.
“He’s an absolute assassin, he’s an absolute killer. The nicest guy. Manny Pacquiao has never disrespected me. He never disrespected (my fighter) Robert Guerrero, but boy once you step in that ring you better get ready.”
Santos knew the magnitude of the Pacquiao fight that he uprooted training camp from San Antonio, Texas, to Sin City for what had turned out to be “the hardest (camp) has ever had in his career.”
“And I think he realized that he’s not just he’s fighting an icon.”
“He’s the biggest killer inside the ring even more so in a sense than Mike Tyson. Because with Mike Tyson, I know there’s the bravado and he wants to kill you but a lot of times he fell short because he didn’t have the lifestyle of like a Manny Pacquiao so Manny Pacquiao when he executes his mind and what he’s trying to do, guess what, if you don’t knock him out, you’re gonna take a lot of damn punishment for that entire fight,” he said.
In the end, Santos expects these two words from the ring announcer: “And still!”
