Manny Pacquiao stages inspiring performance in ring. Follow his lead.
- - - Manny Pacquiao stages inspiring performance in ring. Follow his lead.
Josh Peter, USA TODAY July 20, 2025 at 9:52 PM
You’re not too old!
It’s not too late!
Now’s the time!
Sorry, folks, still feeling inspired by Manny Pacquiao’s performance Saturday night. The 46-year-old Filipino boxing legend returned to the ring and astonished the sports world.
Victory escaped him. The moment did not.
Fighting for the first time in almost four years, Pacquiao battled 30-year-old Mario Barrios, the reigning WBC welterweight champion, to a majority draw. The judges scored it 115-113 (for Barrios), 114-114, 114-114. But the scorecards failed to reflect Pacquiao’s performance.
Manny Pacquiao salutes the crowd in attendance after earning a draw against Mario Barrios at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on July 19, 2025.
The swelling on Barrios’ forehead, however, was proof Pacquiao can still punch. Hard. Even more impressive, for much of the 12-round welterweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Pacquiao stayed on the move.
He darted toward Barrios and landed combinations. He retreated when necessary. He bounced on his feet. Over 12 rounds, 36 minutes of boxing.
"It was crazy," Barrios said. "His stamina."
So how does a 46-year-old man do it? What’s the secret?
"Oh, just work hard," Pacquiao told broadcaster Jim Gray in the ring after the fight. "Hard work and then discipline."
Mike Tyson likes to say, "Discipline is doing what you hate to do, but doing it like you love it."
Of course, Tyson looked every bit 58 when he lost to Jake Paul by unanimous decision Nov. 15. That accounted for some of the trepidation as Pacquiao climbed back into the ring.
But much to our delight, Pacquiao looked like you’d want to look at 46.
Was it a candidate for Fight of the Year? Not even close. Was Barrios in top form? Nope. But that wasn't the point as Pacquiao battled a man 16 years younger than he is.
During the fight, and after the fight, fans showered him with chants of "Manny, Manny, Manny!" Perhaps the better way to honor Pacquiao, is to follow his lead.
Don’t give up.
Dig deep.
Work hard.
Show discipline.
Then get in the proverbial ring and, despite any self-doubt, fight Father Time.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Manny Pacquiao reveals keys to inspiring performance in ring
Source: “AOL Sports”
