LAS VEGAS – WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman says he has “no regrets” over allowing Manny Pacquiao to challenge for Mario Barrios’ welterweight title at the MGM Grand on Saturday, despite the 46-year-old being without a fight in four years, or a win in six.
“Immediately, the first thought and the first order was to have the medical examinations,” Sulaiman told BoxingScene on Thursday. “That's the first step. Do all the medicals. Get a boxing license from the commission. Nevada is one of the most strict, most honorable boxing commissions in the world, and [Pacquiao] passed all the medicals, and he received a license.
“Once he had that, the WBC proceeded with a board vote, as he requested to challenge for the WBC championship. It was approved, and I have no concerns and no regrets whatsoever. All to the contrary. He deserves it. He called me personally afterward. He was very emotional, stating that his first championship was the WBC flyweight, many kilos ago, many years ago, and now he's challenging for the WBC welterweight title. So it's a great moment for Manny. I'm sure he has the merits to receive this sort of opportunity.”
In response to complaints that Pacquiao was allowed to jump the queue ahead of ranked challengers, Sulaiman likens the situation to Vitali Klitschko being granted an exemption to fight immediately for the organization’s heavyweight belt in 2008 after four years of back-injury-enforced layoff; the future Mayor of Kiev would beat Sam Peter to take the title and make nine defenses before retiring. Sulaiman also mentioned the fears for Sugar Ray Leonard’s health when he came out of retirement to outpoint Marvin Hagler, and Bernard Hopkins’ beating Jean Pascal to become light heavyweight champion at 46.
“But I understand anyone who has concerns, or even critics, because age is a factor,” Sulaiman conceded. “Boxing is a contact sport, but Manny Pacquiao is a boxer who has never been on the wrong side. He doesn't drink. He has never had an excess life or type of condition that would put his body in a different state.”
Pacquiao's return has almost overshadowed the fact that Barrios is the defending champion. But Sulaiman believes that Saturday's fight is a platform on which Barrios can take his game and his fame to a new level.
“Barrios deserves this fight,” he says. “He has been overshadowed by everyone in his career. He has taken dangerous fights. He moved up to fight Thurman. He eventually won the title, defended the title with drama [in a draw with Abel Ramos in November] and now he deserves this fight. He's going to get a very good payday, great fame. So, win or lose, it is a great moment for Barrios, and we're very happy for him as well.”
Kieran Mulvaney has written, broadcast and podcast about boxing for HBO, Showtime, ESPN and Reuters, among other outlets. He presently co-hosts the “Fighter Health Podcast” with Dr. Margaret Goodman. He also writes regularly for National Geographic, has written several books on the Arctic and Antarctic, including most recently Arctic Passages: Ice, Exploration, and the Battle for Power at the Top of the World, and is at his happiest hanging out with wild polar bears. His website is www.kieranmulvaney.com.
