LOS ANGELES -- On Tuesday Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) promotion held a press conference at The NOVO in downtown L.A. on the road to the championship bout between Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This marks Pacquiao’s 14th appearance at the venue, with his first being in 2001 against South Africa’s Lehlo Ledwaba. 

While the PPV has centered around its main event there are three other bouts scheduled to take place on the main card, including two rematches against a pair of high-level Super Welterweights and Super Lightweights. 

Brandon Figueroa vs. Joet Gonzalez

Figueroa (25-2-1,19 ko’s) and Gonzalez (27-4,15 ko’s) begin the main card with a featherweight bout to showcase one of the smaller weight classes in boxing. 

After losing unanimously to Stephen Fulton in February, Figueroa is looking to bounce back in a big way with his new trainer, Manny Robles, against the Los Angeles native, Gonzalez. “I’m coming with everything, I feel like I owe it to the boxing fans after my last performance. This time I’m giving everything I’ve got” Figueroa said. “I have a new trainer in Manny Robles and we’ve been working together the last four weeks. I feel incredible. I’ve been working very hard and I’m proud to be in this position”. 

With a split decision win over Arnold Khegai in his most recent bout, Gonzalez aims to prove why he is one of the best 126-pound fighters in boxing with a victory over Figueroa. “I’m looking to make a big statement. I’m coming to get this win. It’s a great opportunity for me and I’m planning to make the most of it” Gonzalez said. 

Isaac Cruz vs. Angel Fierro II

In a battle between Mexico’s finest boxers, Cruz (27-3-1,18 ko's) and Fierro (23-3-2, 17 ko's) fight for a second time after a hard-fought match in February. 

While Cruz did get the decision win against Fierro in their first encounter, Pitbull is looking to have a repeat performance in one of boxing’s biggest arenas. “We’re going to put on a show once again. Come out to see me once again get the victory. I can’t wait to see everyone in Las Vegas” Cruz said. 

Though Fierro argues against his loss to Cruz, he believes he has proven the ability to hurt his opponent in specific rounds. “In the third round of our last fight, I showed that I can rock him. No matter what he says, that happened. I said that I was gonna brawl the first time and it’s gonna be the same thing again. I’m gonna brawl my way to winning the fight, no matter what” Fierro said. 

Sebastian Fundora vs. Tim Tszyu 

In the co-main event, a championship rematch is set to take place with the Coachella Valley native, Sebastian Fundora (22-1-1,14 ko’s), trying to make it 2-0 against Australia’s Tim Tszyu (25-2,18 ko’s). 

Standing at 6’5 and 154 pounds, Fundora is looking to use his 80-inch reach to stay undefeated against one of Australia’s best boxers. “I’m very happy to be back against an incredible opponent. Last time we put on a great show and we’ll have a plan for this one. It’s just about who has a better team, that’s who wins the fight. And I’m sure my team is better” Fundora said. 

Despite losing their first bout, Tim Tszyu is coming off a fourth-round victory after defeating Joey Spencer back in April and is looking to get his revenge against Fundora to become the new WBC Super Welterweight champion. “I want that belt and I want that title. But it’s not only about the belt, it’s about the story and the redemption. We had a hard fight and it’s something that I need to get back. It’s one of those things that I need to rewrite” Tszyu said. 

Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios

In one of the most anticipated returns in boxing history, Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2,39 ko’s) wants to remind the world why he is one of the greatest boxers of all time and become an eight-time WBC Welterweight World Champion. 

Despite being 46 years old, the Filipino native, Pacquiao, still has the desire to compete at a high level with the best boxers in the world. “The fire, determination, and eagerness to work hard is still there. I’m still enjoying running the mountains. Not every fighter has this feeling.

 This is a blessing because I’ve been through so many big fights in my career and I’m still here. I’m back” Pacquiao said.

With his last victory being in 2019 against Keith Thurman, Pac-Man has his eyes set on making history by breaking his record of being the oldest WBC Welterweight Champion in history. 

On the other side, Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 ko’s) knows what he’s getting into and wants to use his experience against high-profile boxers to his advantage. “I think I can take a lot that I learned from the Gervonta Davis fight into this one. The way he closes the distance and works off his speed, and even the size, are all similar. All of my big fights have really prepared me for this moment” Barrios said. 

With a 16-year age gap between himself and Pacquiao, El Azteca looks to have the biggest win of his career against the future Hall of Famer.