Mario Barrios has compared the punching power of former rival’s Manny Pacquiao and Gervonta Davis.
Barrios currently reigns as the WBC welterweight champion but faced ‘Tank’ Davis when he campaigned at super-lightweight back in 2021. Despite his best efforts, ‘El Azteca’ was stopped in the penultimate round of his clash with Davis to surrender his WBA Regular 140lb title.
Fast forward four years and the 30-year-old from San Antonio successfully retained his WBC welterweight title against Filipino great Pacquiao last month, although their 12-round clash at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas ended in a majority decision draw, with two out of the three judges scoring the bout 114-114 even.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Barrios was asked to give a comparison on Davis’ and Pacquiao’s punching power after sharing the ring with both.
“Pacquiao could definitely crack, you know, ‘Tank’ can definitely crack, you know, it’s one of the few fights where I’ve touched the canvas. But yeah that old man is strong.”
‘El Azteca’ was then asked to reveal how long it actually took for him to notice the power of the eight-division world champion.
“From like round one.”
Rumours of a potential rematch between Barrios and Pacquiao have began to circulate since their clash on July 19, although it remains to be seen whether the welterweight duo will do battle once again.
As for Davis, the unbeaten 30-year-old from Baltimore had been pencilled in to face Lamont Roach Jr in a rematch next, but these plans appear to have been put on hold after ‘Tank’ was arrested on a domestic charge earlier this summer.