Manny Pacquiao’s return is confirmed after the Filipino legend made weight for his clash with Mario Barrios.
There was some weigh-in drama, though, with Angel Fierro withdrawn from his Fight of the Year rematch with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz.
Ahead of the co-main event, Tim Tszyu said the time for respect is over ahead of his rematch with Sebastian Fundora.
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Pacquiao keeps Barrios waiting at weigh in
Manny Pacquiao successfully climbed the final hurdle to his ring return by making weight ahead of his WBC welterweight world title clash with Mario Barrios.
The bout brings up the eight-division world champion’s 16th fight at the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena, an achievement which was commemorated at Friday’s weigh in, held in front of a raucous pro-Pacquiao crowd.
A banner was unveiled in the rafters of the Las Vegas venue, which hosts the 46-year-old Pacquiao’s first fight in nearly four years.
Pacquiao fans, and Barrios, were forced to wait more than four minutes for PacMan’s arrival on-stage at the weigh in due to a production miscommunication, but he got there eventually.
“I’m so happy because I’m back. I’m back because boxing is my passion. I missed boxing,” Pacquiao said after stepping on the scales at 146.8 pounds, to Barrios’ 146.2.
“Those four years… I really missed boxing, but it’s good for my body.
“I was able to give my body a rest for four years, because I’ve been boxing for many decades, since I was 12, and now I’m back.
“I’m really hungry to win again and give the fans a good fight.”
Fierro out of Pitbull rematch
Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz will now face Omar Salcido Gamez for the interim WBC super lightweight title after Angel Fierro was a late scratching ahead of their highly anticipated rematch.
Fierro reportedly fell ill during his weight cut and was taken to hospital, seeing him pulled from the card.
Salcido had successfully made weight for his scheduled fight with Brian Gallegos on the undercard, seeing him parachuted in to face the all-action Mexican brawler.
MORE: Tszyu retracing father’s footsteps at iconic Vegas venue
Keith Thurman pushing for Tszyu fight
The always-entertaining Keith Thurman was in attendance at Friday’s weigh in, again making it known of his willingness to face Tszyu.
Originally scheduled to meet last March, an injury to Thurman saw Fundora step in to face the Australian, ultimately leading to a bloody brawl which went the six-foot-six southpaw’s way via split decision.
Ahead of the weigh in, Thurman told Sporting News he remains interested in the fight, pending Tszyu’s success.
“Tszyu has to win. And he has to want the Thurman fight. If they really want it, I’m here and they know that,” Thurman said.
“I didn’t go down there to fight Brock Jarvis. I went down there to get closer to Tim Tszyu, to show that I’ll come to you.
“You came here to fight me, you start losing in America, but in Australia you’re a big name and we can make a big fight.”
Tszyu’s promoter, George Rose of No Limit Boxing, indicated interest was still there on the Australian’s side.
“He hasn’t crossed paths with Tim yet but once Tim’s got that belt around him tomorrow, if they cross paths, we’ll make sure that something happens off the back of it,” Rose said.
If a Tszyu fight doesn’t materialise for Thurman, the platform was laid for a potential showdown with Jermell Charlo, with the pair trading insults on a nearly 10-minute long video call.
The final word
Ahead of the must-win clash, Tszyu’s message was clear.
“He should have killed me the first time,” the Sydneysider said.
“I’m coming back with relentlessness, with this pursuit of a world title and Fundora’s the man in charge of that.
“We’re professional boxers, we know what it’s about, but mark my words, there’s no more respect now.”
Fundora was even clearer: “Silence and violence.”
No Limit Boxing
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