{"id":113130,"date":"2025-09-02T01:40:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T01:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/113130\/"},"modified":"2025-09-02T01:40:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T01:40:10","slug":"wbc-president-doubles-down-on-controversial-manny-pacquiao-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/113130\/","title":{"rendered":"WBC President Doubles Down On Controversial Manny Pacquiao Decision"},"content":{"rendered":"

When news broke earlier this year that Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao would be coming out of his four-year retirement to fight WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19, this announcement was met with mixed reactions.<\/p>\n

There’s no doubt that many boxing fans were thrilled to see their beloved boxer make his return. However, there was also a lot of outrage about the fact that Pacquiao, who was 46 years old when he fought Barrios, should not be fighting elite competition at his age, as this could have proposed a serious health risk.<\/p>\n

Not to mention that Pacquiao was allowed to skip the line of current welterweight contenders in order to fight the champion, which many would unfair. <\/p>\n

In addressing this criticism about allowing Pacquiao to return to the ring against Barrios, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said, “Remember @SugarRayLeonard?. My father, Jose Sulaiman, and the WBC were criticized for making his fight vs Hagler[.] @MannyPacquiao has been licensed by Nevada and passed all medicals and as a legendary WBC champion, has been approved to fight by our organization[.] Let\u2019s talk on July 20,” in a May 10 X post. <\/p>\n

Remember @SugarRayLeonard<\/a> ? My father Jose Sulaiman and the WBC were criticized for making his fight vs Hagler @MannyPacquiao<\/a> has been licensed by Nevada and passed all medicals and as legendary WBC champion has been approved to fight by our organization
Let\u2019s talk July 20 https:\/\/t.co\/mDkdw7kQmk<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) May 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Ultimately, Sulaiman’s gamble on Pacquiao paid off. While he didn’t get the win against Barrios, he earned a draw outcome but looked fantastic, proving that he was well deserving of facing the champion, despite his advanced age.<\/p>\n

\"WBC<\/p>\n

Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Sulaiman did a recent interview with ProBox TV and asserted that he made the right decision in letting Pacquiao fight for the title.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a regulation that allows for the provision that an extraordinary boxer, like Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel M\u00e1rquez, or Vitali Klitschko, can submit a petition to the council to return,\u201d Sulaiman said, per an excerpt of the interview from beIN Sports<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as they pass the\u00a0medical exams\u00a0and obtain a\u00a0boxer\u2019s license\u00a0from the commission where the fight will take place, we can vote to approve or deny their return. The\u00a0World Boxing Council\u00a0voted and approved\u00a0Pacquiao\u00a0to fight\u00a0Barrios, and I\u2019m surprised you\u2019re still questioning it… because\u00a0Pacquiao\u00a0himself shut you up,\u201d Sulaiman added. <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udde3 Mauricio Sulaim\u00e1n defends the WBC\u2019s stance on Manny Pacquiao\u2019s return #beINSPORTS<\/a> #Boxing<\/a> \ud83d\udca5\ud83e\udd4ahttps:\/\/t.co\/p3u9w8L3Y2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) September 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

He concluded his stance by saying, \u201cManny Pacquiao had a great fight against Barrios, and I am very satisfied with the World Boxing Council\u2019s decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sulaiman deserves a victory lap for having faith in Pacquiao’s abilities and allowing him to compete for the WBC welterweight title. And he clearly seems keen on taking that victory lap.<\/p>\n

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