A potential double-header featuring Errol Spence vs. Sebastian Fundora and Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios is being discussed for December, and while the matchups are intriguing, they also raise concerns about the condition of the fighters involved.
According to reports from Alan Dawson, the event could be staged by PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view, and while it’s likely to attract ticket sales and PPV buys, the motivations behind the matchups seem more financial than competitive. Spence would be challenging WBC and WBO junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora, while the 45-year-old Pacquiao would come out of a three-year retirement to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
Pacquiao's return is particularly concerning given his last professional fight in 2021, where he lost by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas. His performance in a three-round exhibition against K-1 light welterweight champion Rukiya Anpo in Tokyo also did little to inspire confidence. Pacquiao looked every bit his age, struggling to keep up, and the idea of him stepping into the ring for a sanctioned title fight has raised eyebrows. If the World Boxing Council sanctions Pacquiao’s challenge against Barrios, it’s very likely to draw a lot of criticism.
Barrios, while seen as the weakest of the current champions at 147 pounds, still poses a significant threat to Pacquiao, who hasn’t fought competitively in three years. For many, it’s hard to justify giving Pacquiao an immediate title shot without him first proving himself against a top-five contender in the division. The fight, though marketable, would seem more like a cash grab than a legitimate title challenge.
As for Errol Spence, the 34-year-old hasn’t been in the ring since his brutal ninth-round knockout loss to Terence Crawford in July 2023. Facing the towering 6’6″ Fundora after a 17-month layoff is a tall order, and many feel Spence should consider a tune-up fight before taking on such a formidable opponent. Despite the doubts, fans would likely be drawn to the spectacle of the matchup, even if it’s far from an ideal scenario for Spence’s return.
A more logical approach might have been to pit Pacquiao against Spence, given where both fighters are in their careers. Neither appears to be in prime condition to face active world champions, but a bout between the two veterans might have offered a more even and compelling contest. Whether these matchups will come to fruition remains to be seen, but they certainly highlight the often complicated and unpredictable nature of boxing in its current state.
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