All news tagged WorldBoxingOrganization

Five years ago, Mario Barrios would have been the perfect matchup for eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. 

At 6’0 tall and not the most agile, Barrios embodies the type of fighter that Pacquiao excelled against in his prime—tall, flat-footed, and susceptible to quick movements and speed.

Pacquiao is also the first boxer in history to win major world titles in four of the original eight weight classes of boxing: flyweight, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight.

Throughout his storied career, the 5-foot-5 Filipino superstar consistently took down larger opponents like Oscar De La Hoya and Antonio Margarito, utilizing his signature speed and footwork to deliver quick combinations before slipping away from their reach.

However, that was a different time.

Now, at 46 years old, Pacquiao hasn’t been in the ring professionally for four years. His last fight—a unanimous decision defeat against Yordenis Ugas in 2021—revealed signs of wear and tear, even against an opponent who seemed like a good fit stylistically.

This reality is what casts Pacquiao as an underdog ahead of his much-anticipated comeback against Barrios on July 19 (July 20 in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. 

Nevertheless, he shouldn't be underestimated.

Justine Fortune, Pacquiao's long-time strength and conditioning coach, believes Pacquiao still has a spark. 

Fortune expressed high praise for Pacquiao’s recent training sessions in Los Angeles. 

“Look, on the mitts and bags, they don’t hit back, but he’s looking as sharp as he did six or seven years ago. He hasn’t lost a step,” said Fortune.

He also noted that Barrios, while talented, isn’t the hardest target to hit. “Barrios takes a lot of punches, and Pacquiao is definitely the last person you want hitting you like that. Once you take those shots, you can start swelling up, and if he clips you, it could lead to cuts.”

And when asked for his prediction? Fortune was straightforward: “I see a stoppage. This fight won’t go the distance.”

Another Filipino boxing star is set to shine on the global stage, as former world champion Mark "Magnifico" Magsayo returns to action on the Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios fight card next month at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Magsayo will take on Mexican fighter Jorge Mata Cuellar in a 10-round bout for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Super Featherweight Title, under the banner of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).

It was earlier announced that former Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial will also fight on the Pacquiao-Barrios undercard, squaring off against American Alexis Gaytan in an eight-round non-title middleweight bout. The inclusion of Magsayo was later confirmed by MP Promotions, further strengthening the Filipino presence at this high-profile event.

"It’s a great opportunity to fight for the second time as part of the undercard for my childhood hero, Manny Pacquiao—who is the main reason I started boxing. Just like the first time I fought on his card when I was in the featherweight division, this is another stepping stone toward my second-division world title bid at super featherweight. I'm grateful for the opportunity from big brother Manny," Magsayo said.

This won’t be the first time Magsayo shares the stage with Pacquiao. He previously appeared as an undercard fighter during Pacquiao’s final U.S. bout against Yordenis Ugas in 2021, where he delivered a dramatic 10th-round knockout of Mexican Julio Ceja.

That performance catapulted Magsayo into a world title opportunity, which he seized by defeating Gary Russell Jr. on January 22, 2022, in Atlantic City to become the WBC Featherweight World Champion.

Now riding a three-fight win streak, Magsayo looks to continue his resurgence. His most recent victory came on December 14, 2024, when he scored a dominant second-round knockout over Ecuadorian Bryan Mercado in Long Beach, California. Magsayo currently holds an impressive record of 27 wins, 2 losses, with 18 knockouts.

Standing in his way is the hungry and talented 24-year-old Cuellar, who brings a solid 21-2-2 record with 13 KOs. With both fighters eyeing a shot at greater glory, fans can expect fireworks when they step into the ring.

Meanwhile, MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons thanked Manny Pacquiao for putting Magsayo on this historic card, where the boxing icon attempts to become the oldest welterweight champion in history. Gibbons expressed confidence in Magsayo's chances against Cuellar and hopes he will emerge as the next contender for a WBC world title.

"I want to thank Manny [Pacquiao] and Al Haymon for putting Mark on this historic night of boxing, when Pacquiao attempts to become the oldest welterweight champion. A win over Jorge Mata will put Mark next in line for a WBC world title shot," Gibbons said.

The controversial result of the super-featherweight title clash between Filipino boxing star Charly Suarez and Mexican champion Emanuel Navarrete on May 11, 2025, is set to be overturned following a thorough review by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).

The CSAC is expected to change the official outcome of the fight to a no-contest — a decision that could pave the way for a high-stakes rematch.

Navarrete originally retained his WBO super-featherweight title via an eighth-round technical decision. The bout was halted due to a cut above Navarrete’s left eyebrow, which referee Edward Collantes ruled was caused by an unintentional headbutt. This led to the judges' scorecards being used, resulting in a win for Navarrete.

However, after conducting an extensive post-fight review, the CSAC determined that the cut was actually caused by a legal punch from Suarez in Round 6 — not a clash of heads, as initially ruled. Video replays supported this finding, contradicting the original call.

Had this been correctly identified during the bout, Suarez would have won the title by technical knockout (TKO), as the injury would have forced a stoppage.

While replay official Jack Reiss maintained there was "no conclusive evidence" to reverse the referee’s decision at the time, the CSAC’s subsequent investigation provided clarity. As a result, the fight’s outcome is now poised to be amended to a no-contest.

The WBO is expected to mandate a rematch — a move welcomed by both camps. In fact, Top Rank Vice President of Operations Carl Moretti voiced his support for a rematch immediately following the fight.

If the ruling is officially changed to a no-contest, it would not only revive Charly Suarez’s shot at the world title but also set the stage for what could become one of the most compelling rivalries in boxing this year.

Carl Jammes "Wonder Boy" Martin posted a fifth-round knockout against his Mexican opponent Juan Tostado in their super-bantamweight contest on Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) in Tijuana, Mexico.

The referee called a mercy halt to the bout after Martin dropped Tostado with a barrage of head shots.

The native from Ifugao made sure his lofty world rating was going to stay, and the impressive victory could elevate him to top contender from No. 2 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and in the top five from No. 7 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF).

Tostado managed to get up, but the third man on the ring was wise enough to stop the carnage, allowing the Filipino southpaw to raise his record to 24-0 with 19 knockouts.

The victory of “Wonder “Boy” over Tostado was Martin’s second fight outside the Philippines after relocating from his homebase in Lagawe, Ifugao.

Meanwhile, Tostado already has a boxing record of 27-15-1 win-loss-draw with 10 of his wins being knockouts.

Last September, Martin also knocked out Mexican boxer Anthony Jimenez Salas in Sinaloa.