Dave Caldwell infuriated by 'trash' Manny Pacquaio v Mario Barrios world title showdown

Esteemed boxing trainer Dave Caldwell has lambasted Manny Pacquaio's high-profile boxing return as the Filipino superstar gets set to end his four-year hiatus from the sport against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

The 46-year-old officially announced his stunning return earlier this month as he bids to prize the prestigious 147lbs belt from Barrios to become the oldest welterweight ruler in history.

Pacquaio, who has previously won world titles in eight different weight classes, hasn't fought since being comprehensively beaten by Yordenis Ugas in August 2021, whilst, even more astoundingly, hasn't won a professional bout since beating Keith Thurman two years earlier.

However, despite that, 'PacMan' has controversially been granted an official ranking by the WBC, meaning he is eligible to face Texan native Barrios in Las Vegas this summer.

Whilst many are excited by the return of one of the greatest names in the sport's history, others, including Caldwell, are questioning how Pacquaio has been granted a license to compete for a world title after such a prolonged absence.

"Don't get me started on this, it's trash isn't it - total trash, straight in the bin!" he told Boxing News. "Look, Manny Pacquaio was an incredible fighter, a great fighter... years and years ago.

"It's six years since he last won a fight, six years! He did an exhibition a year or two ago and he looked horrendous, he looked like an old man, which he should do.

"Now he is going to go straight in and fight for a world title, it's crazy.

He and his team have picked (Mario) Barrios because they don't think he is very good, but regardless of that, there is no way that this man should be allowed to fight for a world title.

- Dave Caldwell (Boxing News)

"He hasn't won a professional fight for six years as I say, and hasn't fought in four years - he shouldn't look as bad as he did in that exhibition, at the age of 46, and then come straight back into a fight of this magnitude.

"I love the WBC, the famous green and gold, of course I do, but sorry you are trashing it (the sport) here."

Pacquaio's return comes less than a year after 'Iron' Mike Tyson stepped back inside the ring for the first time in 19 years in a dour contest with social media crossover star Jake Paul.

While Tyson had his ears pricked by a monumental payday, Pacquaio, at least, is staging his return in a bid to fulfil his WBC welterweight dream.

Despite that however, Caldwell feels the boxing veteran should have had to earn his shot, just like everybody else.

"Everyone has a right to do what they want and if people want to have a run at being a world champion, that's fine, but have a few fights and let's see if you deserve an opportunity like this," he added.

"I've had people messaging me on social media about this after putting my thoughts on there, people saying 'don't you know who Manny Pacquaio is?

"Alright, but what was Mike Tyson doing messing around with Jake Paul, why didn't he come back and f****** fight Oleksandr Usyk!

"Legend or not, this is b******s - it's a bad look for the sport and this is where you are going into YouTube / Misfits territory, which is dangerous."

Mark Mothershaw

• Mario Barrios v Manny Pacquiao
• Manny Pacquaio
• Mario Barrios
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