‘Go in there and neutralize’: Barrios talks game plan for Pacquiao

Mario Barrios believes he has the physical and stylistic tools to tame Manny Pacquiao.

Mario Barrios spends some time talking to Fight Hub TV about his upcoming WBC title defense against Manny Pacquiao and his thought process heading into the fight. Check out some excerpts of some of what Barrios had to say on the fight below.

Barrios on his preparation for Pacquiao

“We have been trying to mimic or have been trying to get the looks that Manny brings as best as we can, but still everything’s going to come down to fight night. I’m still preparing for the best version of Manny that I can, I’m not going in there expecting to be facing an old man. So, yeah, I’m expecting him to be fast, to be moving.”

On if the fight favors him the longer it goes on due to Manny’s age

“I have confidence in the longer the fight goes — it’s my job to go in there and make him feel like that old man...but, yeah, I definitely give the favor to me as the rounds go on, especially too because Manny is known to be a fast starter, known for the first bell he’s coming out swinging.

“...the best way to counter speed is timing and I feel like I have that on my side, especially with my physical attributes over Manny. So it’s just my job to go in there and neutralize Manny, what he tries to do early on, and then just overall just assert and dominant any way that I can.”

On what improvements he’ll bring into this fight

“I think I’m bringing a lot of improvements to this fight, especially from that Tank fight. Just defensively, stylistically, and this fight’s at welterweight. I feel like now I’m like a solid ass welterweight. I feel comfortable, I feel like I’m in my prime and I feel I have everything tightened up that would’ve gave me more success if I would've been doing it early on. I’m a more complete fighter and I just look forward to showing that come fight night.”