Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach (L) looks on as Fillipino boxer Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao smiles during a media day workout at Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles on June 25, 2025. Manny Pacquiao will take on US boxer Mario “El Azteca” Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on July 19, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines–If there’s one who can fully relate to Manny Pacquiao and fighting at an advanced age, it’s Bernard Hopkins.
Hopkins is the oldest boxer to win a world title after he unified the light heavyweight belts at 49 years old with a split decision victory over Beibut Shumenov in April 2014.
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Pacquiao will attempt to become the second oldest fighter in boxing history when he challenges WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The odds are stacked against Pacquiao, who–at 46 years old–is returning to the ring after a four-year retirement.
Still, Hopkins likes Pacquiao’s chances.
“I’m rooting for Manny because I know if anyone can do it, it’s him,” Hopkins told The Ring.
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“I think Barrios is a B-plus [fighter]. I believe, yes, [Pacquiao’s] got some mileage on him, yes, he’s politically mentally tied in, but he has the speed, he has the experience to get the upset.”
Hopkins, however, doesn’t think Pacquiao can stop the 30-year-old Barrios inside the distance.
“As a matter of fact, Manny could beat him by decision. He won’t get the stoppage.”
Hopkins, who was once the undisputed middleweight champion, last fought in December 2016 just less than a month from his 52nd birthday. He lost to Joe Smith Jr., who handed him the only stoppage defeat of his storied career.
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