Chris Algieri says the reason Manny Pacquiao is still able to fight at 46 is because he’s always been a big puncher during his career.

(Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions)

Power is the last thing to go for aging fighters, and Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) still has that heading into his unearned title shot against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

Aging Pacquiao’s Knockout Drought

Manny had been a knockout puncher in his younger days, but his power suddenly abandoned him in 2010. Since then, his KOs have come few and far between. If he’s counting on winning by knockout against Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs), he’s kidding himself. That’s not going to happen.

If anyone is going to get a stoppage in this fight, it’s Barrios because he’s a decent puncher himself, and he’s a lot younger at 30. Pacquiao-Barrios are headlining this Saturday, July 19th, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The event will be shown on PBC on Prime Video PPV for $79.99.

“The fact that Manny Pacquiao can punch means he can fight a little bit longer,” said Chris Algieri to Fighthype. “Manny is a puncher. He has an opportunity because of his power to still be around.”

What is Algieri talking about? Pacquiao hasn’t fought in four years. He hasn’t been around. And the only reason he’s getting this title shot is a combination of business and the WBC shockingly giving him a top 15 ranking.

Pacquiao lost his last fight four years ago in 2021, and looked as old as the hills at the time. He’s being given a title shot on a silver platter without having to work for it.

Is Pacquiao Still a Puncher?

Pacquiao hasn’t knocked out an opponent in seven years. Before that, he hadn’t stopped in nine years since 2009. So, when Algieri says Pacquiao is still fighting because he’s a puncher, he’s way off because he stopped being a puncher in 2009 when his knockouts dried up.

“In terms of the age, it does concern me. 46 is 46,” said Algieri about Pacquiao.

It’s age, inactivity, and the wear and tear of a long pro career. What Algieri isn’t saying is that Pacquiao looked washed in his last fight against Yordenis Ugas in 2021. He lost that fight and then blamed it on his calves cramping up.