At 46 years old, Manny Pacquiao returned to the ring, not to reclaim a throne, not to prove doubters wrong, but to remind us what it means to defy time with faith, discipline, and love.
He trained for two months, not casually, not half-heartedly, but with the hunger of a young man and the wisdom of a warrior who’s seen every corner of the fight game. While others were easing into retirement, he was sharpening his tools for battle.
To go a full twelve rounds at his age, against a dangerous champion like Mario Barrios in his prime, is something most will never fully grasp. This wasn’t just another fight. This was a man stepping back into the fire, not because he needed to, but because he still could.
Round after round, he pressed forward. Footwork that whispered of old rhythms. Combinations that still sang. Timing, pressure, poise, it was all still there. If you watched closely, Manny was one step ahead more often than not.
And when the final bell rang, and the judges called it a draw, the world felt divided. But the real ones saw it clearly. Pacquiao was one round up. He should’ve had his hand raised. He should’ve been called champion once again.
Still, in true Pacquiao fashion, he didn’t protest. He didn’t cry injustice. He smiled. He raised his hands to heaven. He thanked the fans. He thanked God. Because Manny knows something deeper, Glory needs not to be chased, for we’re already glorious.
The draw was more than a result. It was a reminder. A symbol. A sacred pause in a world that obsesses over winners and losers. Sometimes the lesson isn’t in the belt. It’s in the grace to walk away unshaken.
In victory, Manny is humble. In defeat, Manny is humble. And in this moment — in this draw — humility became the message.
Part of me hoped to hear it. Just one last callout to close the circle. “Floyd Mayweather. Let’s fight one more time.”
But, Pacquiao didn’t return for legacy, he is legacy. He didn’t need a title, he is the title. Eight divisions. Twenty-five years of greatness. A life fueled by purpose, family, and faith.
What we witnessed wasn’t just a fight. It was a sermon. A reminder to fight with joy. To stand with grace. To live with meaning.
UFC 317 Predictions: Underdogs, Upsets, and Breakdowns
With UFC 317 just around the corner, fight fans are gearing up for a stacked card featuring rising stars, seasoned contenders, and title implications across multiple divisions. Below are my predictions for each fight on the card, including underdog picks and key factors that could define the night.
Charles Oliveira (+340) vs. Ilia Topuria
Pick: Charles Oliveira This is the boldest pick on the card, but one that could pay off big. Charles Oliveira is no stranger to adversity he’s the all time UFC leader in submissions and finishes. In this matchup, he’ll need to walk down the undefeated Ilia Topuria, who brings devastating power and pinpoint accuracy. The key to this fight lies in whether Oliveira can absorb Topuria’s early power and close the distance.
Topuria will look to keep it standing, avoid clinches, and punish Oliveira at range. However, if Oliveira manages to smother Topuria, initiate a clinch, and drag the fight into his world on the ground, the tide shifts. Watch for Oliveira’s signature move when hurt he tends to drop to his back and invite his opponent into a trap. If Topuria accepts that invitation, he may be stepping into danger.
Prediction: Oliveira by submission if he survives early; otherwise, Topuria by KO/TKO.
Alexandre Pantoja (-220) vs. Kai Kara-France
Pick: Alexandre Pantoja Pantoja is arguably the most complete fighter in the flyweight division today. His pressure, grappling, and fight IQ are elite. Kara-France brings grit and striking power, but he’s struggled against top-tier fighters like Brandon Moreno. Pantoja has already beaten Moreno twice and is coming in with momentum as the reigning flyweight champ. Kara-France on the other hand, has lost to Moreno twice.
Prediction: Pantoja via decision or submission after wearing Kara-France down.
Brandon Royval (+107) vs. Joshua Van
Pick: Brandon Royval Van’s boxing is elite, and his hand speed might be the fastest in the UFC right now. But this is a major step up in competition. Royval has gone five rounds with champions and faced killers the likes of Moreno and Pantoja. His unpredictability and cardio could frustrate Van over three rounds.
Prediction: Royval wins by decision through relentless pace, awkward attacks, and eventually dragging the fight to the ground.
Beneil Dariush (-115) vs. Renato Moicano
Pick: Beneil Dariush Moicano has looked great in his recent wins, but when he’s faced elite competition, the gap has shown. Dariush has consistently fought top-10 lightweights and has the grappling chops to avoid danger on the ground. Expect Dariush to mix his wrestling and striking to neutralize Moicano’s offense.
Prediction: Dariush by submission (RNC or arm-triangle), possibly in round 2 or 3.
Felipe Lima (-173) vs. Payton Talbott
Pick: Felipe Lima This is as close to a 50/50 as it gets. Talbott is tall, long, and powerful, while Lima is shorter but more compact and well-rounded. Lima’s five-round experience outside the UFC and his wrestling give him the edge. If he can clinch and grind Talbott against the fence, he’ll sap the explosiveness from Talbott’s game.
Still, if Talbott keeps it standing and avoids the mat, he has one-punch KO potential.
Prediction: Lima by decision, with cage control and takedowns as the difference.
Gregory Rodrigues (-212) vs. Jack Hermansson
Pick: Gregory Rodrigues “Robocop” Rodrigues is a brutal finisher with KO power and solid jiu-jitsu. Hermansson is tricky, with unorthodox strikes and sneaky grappling, but Rodrigues is the more explosive and consistent of the two. If Rodrigues stays composed and avoids the early traps, he should walk away with a finish.
Prediction: Rodrigues via KO/TKO.
Jose Delgado (-145) vs. Hyder Amil
Pick: Jose Delgado Delgado brings high-volume striking, discipline, and intensity to the cage. Amil is a tough competitor, but Delgado’s technical edge in boxing and pressure-based style make him the favorite here. If he can keep it standing and control the tempo, he’ll earn the W.
Prediction: Delgado via unanimous decision.
Tracy Cortez (-205) vs. Viviane Araujo
Pick: Tracy Cortez Cortez has been steadily improving, with a solid wrestling base and rapidly developing stand-up. Araujo is a dangerous athlete but has shown cardio issues in the past. Expect Cortez to stay patient, avoid damage, and outgrind her way to a win.
Prediction: Cortez via decision.
Viacheslav Borshchev (+132) vs. Terrance McKinney
Pick: Viacheslav Borshchev This is a classic “weather the storm” scenario. McKinney is lethal in the first round — but if you survive that, his cardio fades fast. Borshchev’s clean left hook and counter game make him a dangerous opponent, especially if he can drag this fight into round 3.
Prediction: Borshchev via TKO (round 2 or 3).
Jacobe Smith (-2300) vs. Niko Price
Pick: Jacobe Smith These odds are enormous, and for good reason. Smith is expected to steamroll Price. With explosive takedowns and dominant top control, Smith likely finishes early by KO/TKO.
Prediction: Smith by first-round KO/TKO.
Alvin Hines (+350) vs. Johnata Diniz
Pick: Alvin Hines Hines may be the underdog, but his pressure heavy grappling and complete MMA skillset give him a real shot. Diniz is more of a striker with limited experience defending persistent takedown threats. If Hines executes the right game plan (ground and pound), this could be a huge upset.
Prediction: Hines via decision.
Cancelled Fight: Jackson McVey vs. Chris Ewert
This fight was called off just one day before UFC 317. For the record, I had McVey as the underdog pick to watch.
Final Thoughts
UFC 317 promises excitement, with a mix of veterans, rising prospects, and potential statement wins. My most confident picks: Pantoja and Smith. My underdog picks to watch? Charles Oliveira, Brandon Royval, and Alvin Hines.
Check back after the event to see how the picks played out — and let me know who you’re backing!
“First and Foremost, I want to thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for everything He has done for me. For guiding a young man down a path that ultimately showed me that fame, legacy, and recognition are not the purpose of life.” -Vasyl Lomachenko
Dear Vasyl,
You are more than just a fighter and it showed in the way you moved inside the ring.
Your footwork wasn’t merely brilliant. It was innovative. Not only the product of a lifetime of training with your father, but something that radiated straight from your soul, your spirit, your fire.
Flashes of your essence pulsed through every punch, every feint, every angle you orchestrated. Every time the bell rang, you ceased to be just Vasyl Lomachenko You became “Hi-Tech” You became “The Matrix” You became “NoMasChenko”
These names weren’t given to feed your ego. They were given to show the children of Ukraine, and the world, that it is possible to become something beyond human. Something divine.
Every time you fought, you channeled that divine energy. We saw it in your grace. We felt it in the way you floated. And we felt it most in our hearts. In that silent moment of awe when the impossible became fluid and real.
But your greatness didn’t stop in the ring.
When your homeland was in crisis, when Ukraine was under threat, when your people were in turmoil
You exited the ring, because a different bell had rung, in a place far from Las Vegas, in a place you call home.
You turned your back on legacy, on belts, on fame and chose instead to stand shoulder to shoulder With your Countrymen. This wasn’t the decision of a prizefighter chasing immortality. This was the path of a man of spirit A man loyal not to glory, but to goodness.
You left behind the kingdom you built… to walk into the battlefield of Earthly chaos. And in doing so, you symbolized something far greater than national pride.
You stood as a beacon not just for Ukraine, but for anyone watching who still believes in sacrifice, honor, and divine purpose.
Those waves you sent? They reached us. Millions felt them.
Because boxing fans We don’t just admire punches, footwork, or knockouts. We admire the spirit that endures through all of it.
And your spirit, Vasyl, has endured pleasure, pain, purpose, and pressure and remained pure.
That is why you will always be our favorite fighter inside the ring, and far beyond it.
Enjoy your retirement, with love, reverence, and eternal gratitude Boxing Fans Around the World
Yes. He called and caused the Berlanga vs. Sheeraz press conference to a halt. Turki explained that this card has a direct influence on the sport of boxing, and the outcome of this fight will dictate who Canelo Alvarez will fight next! (After Crawford)
In regards to my latest post, Rolly Romero explained that Turki is overlooking “B” side fighters, and he’s doing it again! By the end of the phone call, Turki sends his regards to Berlanga, but none at all towards Sheeraz.
Turki seems to only be promoting the “A” side fighters. And he’s lazer focused on matching up “A” fighters vs. “A” fighters, which is amazing for the sport! But, he’s not helping promote the “B” side fighters at all. Even blatantly disregarding outcomes of fights where the “B” side or the “underdog” persevere and walk away the victor.
In his phone call interruption, he stated that Garcia vs. Haney is next. Why?! Shouldn’t it be Haney vs Romero? No. Regardless of outcome, Turki is choosing to put the big names against the big names.
This will cause the general public to be happy, but what about the real fans of the sport? This is disgraceful. Why should Garcia be continued to be promoted and pushed after he lost unanimously against Romero? It makes no sense.
What Turki doesn’t realize yet, is that he can create “nobody’s” into generational stars. Current “B” side fighters into “A” side fighters. All through the power of promotion.
However, he’s currently focused on making the best fights on the planet. Choosing big names over pure talent. In the short run this is amazing, but I hope he puts just as much promotion into all fighters, as he does towards the modern day household names. If he doesn’t take notes from the UFC or from WWE, his run could be cut short, regardless of his tall cash.
Turki Al-Sheikh has been heavily involved with the boxing scene and has become a prominent figure in the sport. But the question posed is, is he ruining the sport of boxing?
I think no. Rolly Romero says yes, and he has a point! The money that Turki is bringing in is causing big name fighters to sign big fight contracts. Household names are fighting other household names, so what can be the issue?
The issue is, according to Rolly Romero, that Turki is scheduling fights with pre-meditated expectations/outcomes. Resulting in a lack of promotion for the “B” fighter. In the case of Ryan Garcia vs. Rolly Romero, Rolly felt like they were overlooking him, and solely promoting Garcia, angling Garcia in the media to set up a “mega-fight” rematch between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney. Romero expressed that the promotion also stunted Jose Ramirez, instead of help promote him.
Essentially, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney showed up in New York City with a guaranteed fat pay check, and another guaranteed fat pay check if they were able to walk away with their hands raised in their bouts against Romero and Ramirez. The issue? According to Romero, this leaves fighters with nothing to fight for, they’re not hungry to put on a show for the fans because their checks are already written.
In my opinion, I see where Rolly Romero is coming from, and I think that presenting fighters with lots of guaranteed money can have an impact on their training leading up to the fight, but I don’t think Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney make good examples, nor do they accurately represent the term “Fighter”
What I mean by that is, when I think about Ryan Garcia I don’t think “Fighter” I think… Immature attention seeker with a great left hook. When I think about Devin Haney, I don’t think “Fighter” I think about a slick, cat and mouse, boxer who should’ve never had his hand raised against Vasyl Lomachenko. Devin’s biggest achievement in the sport is a fight that he never won. Reminds me of when Timothy Bradley “won” against Manny Pacquiao. The reason why they make bad examples is because this is Garcia’s first fight back after being popped for PED’s. (I think this was truly overlooked by the media) For Haney, this is the first fight back after being knocked out and beaten badly by a raging… Ryan Garcia on… PED’s! (In Haney’s defense, it was a wise move planning to be untouched throughout 12 rounds. Incredibly boring, but wise) This all led to a rather poor performance by both fighters.
Although Romero has a point, in defense for Turki, I believe he’s actively keeping the sport of boxing alive. It’s not his fault that Haney, Garcia, and the Canelo fights were lackluster. Styles truly make fights, and Haney’s style isn’t intriguing. Perhaps he can stir the ship of public opinion like Belal Muhammad did with his latest fight in the UFC against Jack Della Maddelena, but we’ll just have to wait and see if Haney can make the switch.
That being said, the current state of boxing is an exciting one! We have many great fights lined up for this year, and Crawford vs. Canelo is a few months away.
My prediction? Canelo walks away with his hand raised… And we have Turki to thank, for making these types of fights happen.
On May 2nd, 2025, boxing enthusiasts across the world were excited to tune into a triple header. Ryan Garcia vs. Rolly Romero. Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez. And Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza Jr.
The names of all of these men on one card is an amazing sight to see on paper. Finally, after decades of watching cherry pickers, we’re entering a new era of boxing where the best face off against the best. Multiple household names under the same roof? Live in New York City under the bright lights of Time’s Square, surely this can’t fail right?
Unfortunately, three men failed to walk away with a victory, and so did every customer who paid for the broadcast. Fans felt morally defeated after having to watch a 12 round “Fight” between Devin Haney and Jose Ramirez. A true snooze fest was put on display, and even the bright lights of New York City weren’t bright enough to keep people’s eyes open during this bout. Devin Haney simply outran Ramirez for a U.D. victory, and Jose let him. Jose chased Devin around the ring, was never able to cut him off, and was never able to throw his coveted combinations. Devin on the other hand, put on a masterclass performance, reminiscent of Dale Earnhardt, round and round around the ring danced Haney. Terrible fight to watch.
Rolly Romero and Teofimo Lopez both looked great in their bouts. Romero was able to pull off the stunning victory over Ryan Garcia! A +700 underdog in many books was Romero. Moving up to 147lbs benefited him, versus Garcia looked negatively affected by the change of weight. Ryan Garcia was knocked down in the second round and seemed to lose his confidence for the rest of the fight.
Ryan Garcia had great success with his jab, frequently snapping Romero’s head back, however, Romero kept throwing a beautiful jab to Garcia’s body, over and over again. This was the key to the fight right here, Garcia’s inability to parry, block, or disrupt Romero’s jab to the body cost Garcia this fight. Along with the second round knockdown of course. In the end, this fight was a joy to watch due to Romero being such a big underdog, but there wasn’t as much action as fans had previously hoped for.
Overall, May 2nd 2025 helped saved boxing. We’re seeing a newfound wave of love and money being thrown boxing’s way via Turki Alashikh. He’s putting on cards with household names riddled throughout, not just the main event. This is causing boxing to actually compete with the UFC. However, “Fighters” like Devin Haney are ruining the sport entertainment aspect for fight fans.
thegarciareport.com 
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