Questioning the Validity of Errol Spence vs. Sebastian Fundora and Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios

BY BOXING HIT STAFF-

The potential double-header featuring Errol Spence vs. Sebastian Fundora and Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios has stirred up some controversy within the boxing community. While it may attract attention and ticket sales due to the names involved, there are valid concerns about the legitimacy of these matchups. Both Spence and Pacquiao have shown signs of being past their prime, making it questionable whether they are deserving of challenging for world titles.

Manny Pacquiao, at 45 years old, has been inactive for three years and his recent performances have left much to be desired. His loss to Yordenis Ugas and lackluster exhibition bout with Rukiya Anpo raise doubts about his ability to compete at the highest level. The idea of him challenging WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios seems unfair, especially considering the younger, more active fighters in the division who are vying for a title shot.

Similarly, Errol Spence’s candidacy for a title fight against WBC and WBO junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora is questionable. Coming off a knockout loss to Terence Crawford and a 17-month layoff, Spence may not be in the best position to take on a formidable opponent like Fundora. A more logical step would be for Spence to have a tune-up fight before considering a title shot.

The Ethical Dilemma

The proposed matchups raise ethical questions about whether fighters like Pacquiao and Spence, who are showing signs of decline, should be competing for world titles. By bypassing active contenders in the rankings, both fighters would be given preferential treatment that goes against the principles of fair competition in boxing. While there may be intrigue in seeing these matchups play out, the integrity of the sport should not be compromised for the sake of entertainment.

The potential double-header featuring Errol Spence vs. Sebastian Fundora and Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios brings to light important concerns about the state of boxing. Aging and inactive fighters being fast-tracked to title fights raises questions about fairness and legitimacy in the sport. While the matchups may generate interest and revenue, it is crucial to consider the implications of pitting fighters past their prime against active champions. Boxing fans deserve to see competitive and meaningful matchups that uphold the integrity of the sport.