Former Manny Pacquiao opponent reveals major factor that can help him stun Mario Barrios

Chris Algieri, who fought Manny Pacquiao in 2014, believes the Filipino’s power gives him a puncher’s chance against Mario Barrios on Saturday.

The former super-lightweight champion told FightHype that Pacquiao will not be the same fighter as he was all those years ago. Age waits for no man, but Pacquiao’s power will allow him to remain competitive against Barrios.

Algieri said: “Father time is undefeated, and I can’t expect Manny to be the guy he was when I fought him 11 years ago or the guy who fought Marquez the second time 15 years ago. He’s going to be a different fighter.

He continued: “The factor that Manny Pacquiao can punch makes him able to fight a little bit longer. You see the guys that go on a little longer, it’s usually the guys that can punch. You have that power, that eraser like George Foreman did in his 40s.”

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Drawing a comparison to Bernard Hopkins, Algieri said that Pacquiao would not be able to replicate how Hopkins adapted his game to his age and instead that his only asset in the fight will be his power.

Algieri explained: “A guy like Bernard Hopkins, who is super scrappy, who learned how to fight in spots and control the ring. Manny’s not that guy. He’s more of a puncher guy. He has an opportunity because of his power.”

Against a fighter like Barrios, however, this may be exactly what Pacquiao needs to upset the odds and become the WBC welterweight champion at 46.

Algieri believes that Barrios is often too easy to catch with a shot because he likes to engage his opponents up close, which can leave him vulnerable.

Algieri said: “Barrios is a warrior - he likes to engage. He’s going to be there to hit at times, so it does give Manny more of a chance.”

He concluded: “But in terms of age, it does concern me.”

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