Ryan Garcia has identified WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios as the specific titleholder Manny Pacquiao can defeat to “make history” by becoming the oldest champion in the history of the 147-pound division. While Garcia recently commented on Pacquiao’s ability to beat Australia’s new IBF champion Liam Paro, his long-standing focus has remained on Mario Barrios as the catalyst for Pacquiao’s record-breaking ambitions.
The 47-year-old Filipino icon, who turned 46 in late 2024, is currently on a quest to surpass his own milestone established in 2019.
Ryan Garcia identifies Mario Barrios as the key to history
Manny Pacquiao became the oldest welterweight champion at age 40 when he defeated Keith Thurman, but a July 2025 majority draw against Mario Barrios left the veteran legend just short of reclaiming a physical belt. Ryan Garcia believes the former eight-division champion still possesses the tools to finish the job against the reigning WBC king.
Ryan Garcia, who is currently preparing for his own high-stakes encounter, has been vocal about Manny Pacquiao’s prospects in the current welterweight landscape. Speaking on “The Warroom” podcast and in subsequent social media posts, Ryan Garcia noted that if Pacquiao could overcome Mario Barrios, it would set the stage for massive future matchups.
“If Manny beats him [Barrios], then I’ve got to fight him,” Garcia stated, highlighting the strategic importance of the WBC strap.
Stylistically, Ryan Garcia maintains that the legendary southpaw remains a threat to the division’s elite. Even as fans debate whether Manny Pacquiao was more skilled than Juan Manuel Marquez or Floyd Mayweather, Garcia suggests the veteran’s experience remains a potent weapon.
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Mario Barrios, who holds a professional record of 29-2-2 with 18 KOs, has defended his title twice through draws, including the competitive 12-round battle with Pacquiao last summer.
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Despite his age, Manny Pacquiao’s draw with Mario Barrios in July 2025 proved he can still compete with champions in their physical prime. His manager, Sean Gibbons, has been actively surveying the market for Pacquiao’s next move, with names like Rolando “Rolly” Romero also in the mix.
Reports indicate Pacquiao could be set for a January 24, 2026, engagement, further solidifying his status as a “live” professional contender rather than just an exhibition attraction.
While a rumored rematch with Floyd Mayweather remains in doubt due to ongoing legal proceedings involving the American, the professional route offers Pacquiao a chance at a tangible reward.
Breaking the record for the oldest champion at 147 pounds would cement a level of longevity few thought possible when he first turned professional in the mid-1990s. As the boxing world prepares for massive late-year events such as Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua, the welterweight division remains equally volatile.
What the future holds for the 147-pound division
The collision course between Ryan Garcia, Mario Barrios, and Manny Pacquiao will likely define the first half of 2027. If Mario Barrios retains his title against Garcia in February, a rematch with Pacquiao becomes a high-probability commercial blockbuster.
Conversely, a Garcia victory would see the young star gain the “leverage” he desires to dictate the terms of a Pacquiao fight or a unification with Liam Paro.
The current landscape of the welterweight division is transitioning away from the era of undisputed dominance toward a more fragmented and competitive environment. With Mario Barrios and Liam Paro holding major pieces of the puzzle, Ryan Garcia and Manny Pacquiao represent the commercial engines driving the weight class.
For the “Pac Man,” the finish line of his career may well include one more gold-plated belt around his waist.
