MANNY Pacquiao’s highly anticipated return to the boxing ring ended in a hard-fought draw against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Sunday, July 20 (Manila time), falling just short of reclaiming a world title.
Fighting for the first time in four years, the 45-year-old Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs) looked sharp early in the bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. His trademark speed, flurries of punches, and slick footwork appeared to overwhelm Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs) in the opening rounds, much to the delight of the 13,000 fans in attendance.
Barrios, however, gradually found his rhythm. Using a disciplined jab and superior reach, he banked crucial middle rounds and managed to slow Pacquiao’s momentum. Still, his output was inconsistent and at times too cautious to clearly dominate the legendary Filipino icon.
Many observers believed Pacquiao had done enough to win. Uncrowned scored the bout 116-113 in his favor, though some rounds were difficult to call. The official judges, however, saw it differently: one judge had it 115-113 for Barrios, while the other two scored it 114-114, resulting in a majority draw.
After the grueling 12-round battle, the two warriors embraced in mutual respect.
“I think so. God willing,” Pacquiao said when asked about a potential rematch. “I only had two months of training. I will continue training for a championship fight.”
Barrios, who retained his WBC title, welcomed the idea. “I’d love to do it again,” said the American, his face marked with bruises. “He’s a legend. I had to dig deep because he kept coming.”
Had Pacquiao pulled off the victory, he would have become the second-oldest boxer in history to win a major world title—another milestone in a storied career that already includes world championships in eight divisions.
Despite the draw, Pacquiao’s return was nothing short of remarkable. At 46 and after a four-year layoff, he proved he could still compete with a reigning world champion. Though he didn’t reclaim the belt, he showed the heart, speed, and grit that made him a global icon.
“I tried to close out the fight in style,” Pacquiao said. “But Barrios was tough. He had good combinations and strong defense. It was a tough fight.” RGL.| – PPI News Commons via Ralph Lawrence G. Gait/Sunstar
