Breaking: Manny Pacquiao was injured while training for Mario Barrios at 46
The boxing world is in shock since the legendary fighter Manny Pacquiao has suffered a devastating injury during training for an early return fight against Mario Barrios, at the age of 46! The Filipino icon, seen in a wheelchair after a brutal combat session, has left fans and surprised analysts, raising serious doubts about their ability to return to the ring and throw a dark cloud on what was destined to be a historical confrontation.
The shocking incident
The injury occurred only a few hours ago during an exhausting training field in Manila, where Pacquiao was preparing for a 2025 proposed fight against the undefeated Welter weight champion of the WBC Mario Barrios. According to sources close to the camp, Pacquiao suffered a serious knee injury after a false step during an intense combat session. The video images, captured by the training personnel, show that Pacquiao collapsed pain, unable to stand up, while his team rushed in his aid. The image of the world champion of eight divisions in a wheelchair has gone viral, feeding a generalized concern.
The promoter of Pacquiao, Bob Arum, confirmed the news in a crying statement: “Manny took a bad fall. His knee gave under pressure. At 46, this could be the end.” It is believed that the lesion is a torn ligament, with current medical evaluations to determine the total scope of the damage.
The dream of Pacquiao in danger
Pacquiao, who fought for the last time in August 2021 against Yordenis Ugás, has been causing a return to the ring to face younger talents such as neighborhoods, which has a record of 29-2 and recently defended its title against Fabian Maidana. At 46, Pacquiao’s determination to challenge age has been a source of inspiration, but this injury threatens to derail his return plans. The fight, tentatively scheduled for July 12 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, now hangs in balance.
Barrios, reacting to the news, said sympathy but also trust. “I respect Manny, but this shows that age is updated,” he said in a press release. “If you can’t recover, I will defend my belt against someone ready to step forward.”
Fans and enemies react
MMA and Boxing communities are full of reactions. In X, fans are disconsolate but supportive, with a publication, “Pacquiao in a wheelchair? This breaks my heart, is a legend!” Another wrote: “At 46, this could be for Manny. It’s time to really retire.” The fighters like Terence Crawford paid tribute, tweeting: “Prayers for Pacman. He has given us everything.” However, critics argue that the injury shows that Pacquiao should have remained withdrawn.
The image of Pacquiao that observes his training partners from a wheelchair has amplified the drama, and some speculate that it could be an advertising trick, although his team denies him, insisting that the injury is genuine.
What follows for the legend?
With pending medical tests, Pacquiao’s future is still uncertain. Will this injury force the end of your historical career, or can you recover in time for a rescheduled fight? For neighborhoods, the situation opens the door to the new challengers, while the boxing world cries the possible loss of one of its greatest icons.
As the story develops, all eyes are in the next Movement of Pacquiao. Can the “PAC-MAN” overcome this setback, or its legendary trip has finally reached its final round?
What do you think? Will Pacquiao recover or is this the end? Share your thoughts below!
