Oscar de la Hoya Begs Mario Barrios: “Don’t Fight Pacquiao!”
The boxing world is full of a dramatic plea when Oscar de la Hoya, the legendary fighter turned into a promoter, has begged his protected Mario Barrios not to face Manny Pacquiao in a long -awaited confrontation. The emotional attractiveness, held during a heated meeting today, has sent shock waves through sport, leaving fans and analysts surprised by the unexpected turn.
Of the Hoya’s Desperate Plea
Sources close to the promotions of Golden Boy reveal that De la Hoya, 52, cornered Barrios in a private session at its Los Angeles headquarters only a few hours ago, imploring: “Mario, does not fight with Pacquiao! He is a career murderer!” The outbreak occurred after rumors of a summer proposed combat 2025 between neighborhoods (29-2, 18 kos), the WBB’s interim weight champion of the WBC and the Pacquiao, 46, which has caused a return despite its last fight in 2022. De la Hoya, which he lost before Pacquiao in a 2008 classic, fears that the fear of 2008 may suffer a 2008 citing Pacquiao, and experiences Pacquiao’s experience.
“Oscar is terrified,” said a source. “He sees Manny as a ghost of his past and does not want Mario to face the wrath of that legend.” According to the reports, De la Hoya’s plea included a promise to find Barrios a safer opponent, although the details are still scarce.
Neighborhood response and ambition
Barrios, 30, has not yet publicly approached the application for the Hoya, but his Campa defiance. “Mario respects Oscar, but is hungry for this fight,” said a source close to the native of San Antonio. Barrios, just out of a victory over Abel Ramos in March, sees a fight with Pacquiao as an opportunity to consolidate its legacy, even as a loser of 3-1. His trust has only grown since he joined Golden Boy, where he has been prepared as a future star.
The Pacquiao team has fed speculation, and a spokesman confirms the negotiations for a 2025 fight in Las Vegas, although no contract is signed. Publications on the social networks of the Filipino icon hint the emotion, adding pressure on the neighborhoods to decide.
The boxing world reacts
The news has lit a fire storm. Fans in X are divided, with some audacity of neighborhoods that cheering: “Let him fight Pac-Man!”, While others back the caution of De la Hoya, “Oscar knows the danger of Manny!” Former fighter Shane Mosley intervened, tweeting: “Oscar’s right, Pacquiao still has that fire.” However, critics accuse De la Hoya of protecting their investment, given the growing value of neighborhoods under their promotion.
Golden Boy Promotions has remained silent, but the tension could force the mentor-protected relationship if neighborhoods advance against the wishes of the Hoya.
What is coming?
As the clock works towards a potential ad, the boxing world hopes to see if neighborhoods will pay attention to the desperate supulic of the Hoya or pursue the glory of facing Pacquiao. A loss could derail the neighborhood race, while a victory could redefine its status. For De la Hoya, this is personal, an opportunity to protect his fighter from the legend that once wet it.
Will neighborhoods fight, or will the begging of the Hoya prevail? The answer could remodel the Welter weight division.
What do you think? Should Barrios face Pacquiao or listen to De la Hoya? Share your shot below!
