Fight for the future

LAS VEGAS — Is it going to be the last farewell or resurrection?

Manny Pacquiao makes his 16th appearance on the same hallowed ground where his legend was born more than 24 years ago as he bids to become the second oldest world champion in history Saturday at the MGM Grand.

The roadblock to his bold bid to redefine greatness is the young Mario Barrios, whose Word Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight crown will be at stake before an expected huge crowd mostly cheering for the Filipino eight-division legend.

Almost four years ago, Pacquiao had initially bade goodbye to boxing after being upset by Cuban Yordenis Ugas and to the city that served as his second home beginning in June 2001 as an obscure puncher from Asia called in at the last minute to fill in a void.

That precise moment — a vicious sixth-round knockout of South African Lehlo Ledwaba — has a special place in Pacquiao’s heart alongside his landmark victories over Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Tim Bradley and Keith Thurman.

In logging a sterling 62-8-2 win-loss-draw card since turning pro at 16, Pacquiao’s feats are the stuff of legend.

He is also the oldest to win the world welterweight title and beating Barrios would reset that record and further boost his status among the elite of the elites of the fight game.

“That feeling of being young and hungry has returned just like in 2001 when I first came here,” said Pacquiao, who stepped in at 146.8 pounds during the official weighin Friday before an appreciative crowd.

“This is the reason why I came back. The passion is still there. I can still feel it,” he added.

People have criticized him for staging a comeback and this particular shot at the WBC’s prize received major flak given that he was rather unimpressive when he got stunned by Ugas — also a substitute — at the T-Mobile Arena during his last fight.

There were several factors that surrounded that defeat and one of them was the sudden switch of opponents because, originally, Pacquiao was supposed to clash with fellow southpaw Errol Spence, who was withdrawn after flunking an eye exam ten days before the fight.

In place of Spence was Ugas, a right-hander whose fighting style was a lot different than Spence.

But considering that he is a seasoned veteran and an all-time great, Pacquiao’s shot at Barrios remains a hot topic even if the Mexico-based WBC had justified his status as challenger.

Barrios, who holds a six-inch height advantage and is younger and fresher at 16 years old, poses serious threats to Pacquiao’s plan to extend his Hall of Fame career.

Holding a 29-2-0 slate with 18 knockouts, Barrios insists Pacquaio’s time is up and that he will prove Saturday night that he has come to take over.

“It’s my time now,” said Barrios, who came in at 146.2 pounds but will be the much bigger man when the fight starts.

Power and speed

Pacquiao had an eight-week camp for this fight.

He chose the Wild Card Boxing Club as the site of this crossroads fight and for several weeks, he trained like hell and displayed the same vitality that made him a huge success during his heyday.

Under the watchful eyes of Buboy Fernandez, who will take the lead role in the corner with Freddie Roach acting as consultant, Pacquiao kept up with the energy of the young guns and even outperformed them in the climbs a few times.

“You can see that he wants this one badly,” said Fernandez, who swears the speed and especially the power remain intact.

Fernandez is so convinced of a victory that he doesn’t expect Barrios to go the distance.

MGM favorite

A special banner was unfurled prior to the weighin and it celebrated Pacquiao’s 16th appearance at the MGM Grand, the most by any other fighter in history.

Overall, Pacquiao has seen action 22 times in this gambling haven, including his retirement of De La Hoya, the destruction of Hatton and Cotto and his megabuck matchup with Floyd Mayweather in 2015, fights that were held at the MGM Grand.

The MGM Grand also hosted his first meeting with Marquez in 2004 and his heartbreaking one-punch knockout loss to the Mexican counter-puncher in 2012.

Paying homage

Like in the previous fights, Pacquiao’s fight attracted the bigwigs from the Philippines and they all have arrived in droves.

Leading the personages is Ilocos political kingpin Chavit Singson, who came with a few family members and close associates.

Also spotted paying homage to Pacquiao include former Senator Bong Revilla and family as well as Benhur Abalos, whose father Ben played a crucial role in the fighter’s rise during his early days as a pro.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino also blew into town to rally behind Pacquiao.

What’s down the road?

A victory by Pacquiao would undoubtedly mean another fight.

And that next fight would be against a marquee name.

Mayweather and Gervonta “Tank” Davies have been named as possibilities.

They would make terrific pairings.

But first things first.

Is Barrios going to be a party pooper?

Or is Pacquiao pulling off another surprise yet again?