Retired two-division champion Gerry Peñalosa is both excited and worried for Manny Pacquiao’s ring return at 46 years old.
Pacquiao, who has been out of professional boxing since 2021, will face WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“It is a good fight. To be honest, mixed reactions; nervous and excited because I want to see Manny. Knowing Manny, he is going to give his best. He goes all out,” Peñalosa said in an exclusive interview.
“I am not sure, since he is 46 years old, what he wants with his body. Could he still do it? That is the question. Despite that, he will be the oldest welterweight champion [in history].”
Peñalosa stressed the dangerous sport that is boxing. If only the fight had taken place several years ago, he is confident that Barrios would have been rather easy.
“The worry is there because he is not getting any younger. At 46 years old, he is up there in age, especially this is boxing. If it were a marathon or tennis, perhaps it is okay, but this is boxing,” he said.
“Your life is at risk atop the ring. If this fight happened five or six years ago, easy fight. The only reason why I am nervous is because Manny has aged.”
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
