Pacman still packs a punch but falls short in title bid
But Pacquiao, in the end, fell just short on the judges' scorecards as Mario Barrios escaped with a majority draw to retain the WBC welterweight championship on Saturday night (Sunday AEST).
Two judges scored the bout a draw, and judge Max De Luca awarded Barrios a 115-113 victory.
"I thought I won the fight," Pacquiao said.
Barrios landed more total punches (120-101), according to Compubox, but Pacquiao had the edge in power shots (81-75).
Pacquiao, enshrined into the International Boxing Hall of Fame last month, was trying to break his own record for oldest welterweight champion. He was 40 when he emerged in 2019 with a split decision over American Keith Thurman.
It also was the first appearance in the ring in nearly four years for the 46-year-old Filipino, his previous bout a loss by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugás.
Barrios, a 30-year-old from San Antonio who was the heavy pre-fight favourite, was hoping to bounce back from a split-decision draw on November 15 against Abel Ramos.
However, he didn't exactly come away with an emphatic victory in improving to 29-2-2. The heavily pro-Pacquiao crowd loudly booed the decision.
"It was an honour to share the ring with him," Barrios said.
"This is by far the biggest event I've had to date, and we came in here and left everything in the ring. I have nothing but respect for Manny.
"His stamina is crazy. He's still strong as hell and his timing is real. He's still a very awkward fighter to try to figure out."
"Pacman" (62-9-2) moved swiftly around the ring from the beginning, often looking more like the younger champion who captured 12 world titles in eight divisions.
He began to be take control in the seventh, landing several big left hands to win the following three rounds on two cards and two on the other.
But Barrios was the better fighter at the end, coming out more aggressive knowing he might be in trouble with the judges. All three, in fact, awarded Barrios each of the final three rounds.
"I didn't think the fight was getting away from me, but I knew I had to step it up to solidify a win," Barrios said.
Both sides said they would be interested in a rematch.
"I hope this is an inspiration to boxers that if you have discipline and work hard you can still fight at this age," Pacquiao said.
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