Mario Barrios retains welterweight title belt in controversial draw with Manny Pacquiao

New York Times

a day ago

Manny Pacquiao still had plenty of pep in his step, if not a lot behind his punches, as his comeback fight at the age of 46 ended in a majority draw Saturday night in Las Vegas. Mario Barrios, 16 years younger, won the last three rounds to secure the majority draw decision and retain his WBC welterweight championship belt.
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'I thought I won the fight,' said Pacquiao, who is now 62-8-3. 'It was a very close fight. My opponent was very tough. … It's an inspiration to older fighters that, with hard work, you can still fight.'
It takes two to make that scenario work, and Barrios was tentative and let Pacquiao get off first in exchanges and finish many rounds with a flourish to try to impress the judges. Barrios was never hurt and landed some hard straight right hands throughout the fight, but it wasn't until Round 10 that he started applying some real pressure.
.@Boxer_Barrios finding success targeting Pacquiao's body in RD9. #PacquiaoBarrios pic.twitter.com/9EGBD3cwxB
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 20, 2025
'I thought I pulled it out, but it was an absolute honor to share the ring with Manny,' said Barrios, now 29-2-2. 'His stamina was crazy, and he can still crack (punches). He is still a very awkward fighter to try and figure out. … He still has a lot in the tank.'
Pacquiao, who was making his return to the ring after a four-year absence, was asked if he wants to keep fighting.
'I think so. I think so, God willing,' he said.
Barrios was all for the idea of a rematch.
'This was huge for boxing, and I would love to do it again,' he said.
The MGM Grand crowd was chanting Pacquiao's name before and during the fight, and Barrios gave the eight-division world champion too much respect despite his trainer's repeated objections between rounds.
Pacquiao started quickly and snapped his right jab early and often but wasn't able to land any substantial combinations until the seventh round, as he was having a hard time keeping his balance.
The judges had him up 5-4 after nine rounds, but Pacquiao bought some time before the 10th round with some loose tape on his glove that had to be fixed.
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Barrios finished strong, winning that 10th round before landing 10 power punches in Round 11 and doing enough in Round 12 to secure the tie — or win the fight, as The Athletic had him up 115-113 like one of the three judges did. But the two other judges scored the fight 114-114.