In what could prove to be bad news for Manny Pacquiao, defending champ Mario Barrios has let it be known that he is, in training camp, working on landing the “perfect punch” on Pac-Man’s head or jaw when the two collide in Las Vegas later this month. Barrios, who spoke with FightHype after a workout, said he is working on replicating the one-punch KO sensation Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez gave the boxing world in the fourth and final battle between himself and Pac-Man.

It was, as you will surely recall, a genuine shock seeing the great Pacquiao laid out, flat on his face, this as “Dinamita” Marquez had timed his rival’s rush forward to perfection, with Marquez landing THE punch of his entire career. For a few agonising moments, fans all around the world feared for Manny, this as he lay prostrate on the canvas. It was, needles to say, the KO of the Year in 2012.

Can Barrios Replicate Marquez’s Perfect Punch?

Now, can Barrios manage to pull off that kind of stunning KO? Barrios can punch, for sure, but he has never laid out an elite fighter before. But is Manny Pacquiao still an elite fighter? Barrios, 29-2-1(18) has not actually stopped any foe since back in February of 2023, this just the second stoppage win for him in his last eight fights. Barrios is practising on emulating Marquez’ awesome handiwork, and it would be THE greatest, most viewed highlight reel KO of the 30 year old’s career should he be able pull it off.

Of course, all the many millions of Pacquiao fans are hoping it will be their hero who does the KO business on July 19th in Las Vegas, not Barrios. Is this fight destined to end before the distance, one way or another? Maybe.

As for Pacquiao, 62-8-2(39) and his training for his challenge for the WBC welterweight title, some glowing reports have said that Manny looks like a million bucks, like a man who is 30, not 46 years of age. Maybe we will get a great fight on July 19