Pacquiao's comeback at 46 falls short as Barrios retains WBC welterweight title in majority draw
Manny Pacquiao pushed back against his doubters, the odds and even Father Time on Saturday night — and nearly made some history.
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 in Las Vegas. Two judges scored the bout a draw, and judge Max DeLuca awarded Barrios a 115-113 victory.
The Associated Press scored the fight 115-113 in favour of Pacquiao.
"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 split decision over Keith Thurman. This also was his first appearance in the ring in nearly four years for the 46-year-old Filipino, a loss by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas.
Barrios, a 30-year-old from San Antonio, was a -275 favourite at BetMGM Sportsbook. He hoped to bounce back from a split-decision draw on Nov. 15 against Abel Ramos, but 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 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.
Usyk knocks out Dubois
Oleksandr Usyk knocked out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round and became the undisputed world heavyweight champion for a second time earlier on Saturday.
The undefeated southpaw retained his WBA, WBC and WBO belts and regained the IBF belt he relinquished just over a year ago.
The Ukrainian dropped Dubois twice in the fifth — the second time with a lunging left cross. The London native looked stunned on the canvas and couldn't beat the count at a packed Wembley Stadium.
Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) beat Dubois for the second time in under two years and this time there was no low-blow drama. It was a ninth-round stoppage in Poland with, of all things, a straight jab. But the finishing shot Saturday was a no-doubter.
Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) joined British countrymen Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in having lost twice to the 38-year-old Usyk, who was an undisputed world champion as a cruiserweight before he moved up in weight six years ago.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


National Post
6 hours ago
- National Post
Royals starter Rich Hill ties record by pitching for 14th MLB team
CHICAGO — Rich Hill became the oldest active player in baseball when he started against the Cubs in Chicago on Tuesday night after the Kansas City Royals selected the 45-year-old from triple-A Omaha. Article content In corresponding moves, the Royals optioned right-hander Andrew Hoffman to Omaha and designated outfielder Tyler Gentry for assignment. Article content Article content Hill's start at Wrigley Field marked the debut of his 21st season in the majors and his first with Kansas City. The Royals are his 14th major-league team, matching Edwin Jackson's record. Article content Hill became the oldest player to start a major-league game since May 27, 2012, when lefty Jamie Moyer tossed his final game with Colorado at age 49. Article content Royals manager Matt Quatraro said there was no pitch-count limitation on Hill, noting the left-hander was 'built up' and had been in the 90-pitch range at Omaha. Article content 'Well, it speaks to his drive, right?' Quatraro said. 'He's played this game forever and clearly he's not doing it for the money or being a big leaguer. He's doing it because he loves it and because he can still be good at it.' Article content Article content At 45 years and 133 days, Hill became the oldest player in Royals history, passing Hall-of-Fame right-hander Gaylord Perry, who appeared in two games with Kansas City in 1983 after he turned 45. Article content The 6-foot-5 Hill began his career with the Cubs, making his big-league debut with a one-inning relief appearance against the Florida Marlins on June 15, 2005. He gave up two runs and three hits. Article content Hill had been at Omaha after signing a minor-league free-agent deal with the Royals in May. He was 4-4 with a 5.36 ERA in nine starts at Omaha. Article content He made 11 postseason starts during his four years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, including two World Series starts in 2017 and another in 2018. He went 11-5 during the latter regular season. Article content


National Post
8 hours ago
- National Post
Contract squabbles galore as NFL teams kick off training camp
Contract squabbles. Quarterback competitions. Comeback quests. Article content Those will be just a few of the storylines to watch during NFL training camp. When the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons report on Wednesday, all 32 teams will be ready to go. Article content Article content Each one is 0-0 and can dream about winning the Super Bowl. It's a much more realistic thought for some teams than others. Still, it's a long road that requires key players staying healthy, plenty of luck and exceptional performances in the biggest moments. Article content Article content Here are five of the most compelling storylines to watch: Article content Contract issues Article content Micah Parsons is going to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history because Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have waited to give the two-time All-Pro a contract extension. Last year, Jones made Dak Prescott the league's first $60-million man. Article content How long will it take to get the deal done? Will it impact Parsons' participation in practice? Article content All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson wants a new contract from the Cincinnati Bengals, who also haven't signed first-round pick Shemar Stewart. The Bengals are holding their ground. Something has to give if they want to compete for a championship because their defence needs the help. Article content Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin also is seeking an extension. Washington, which lost to the Eagles in the NFC title game, acquired Deebo Samuel and reworked his contract. They'll want McLaurin on board to make the offence even more dynamic. Article content Article content Quarterback battles Article content Article content The Cleveland Browns have used 40 starting quarterbacks since 1999. That number will increase by Week 1 unless veteran Joe Flacco wins a four-way competition against Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Article content Flacco, the Super Bowl 47 MVP, was the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year when he led the Browns to the playoffs in 2023. He's the favourite going into camp. Article content The Indianapolis Colts brought in veteran Daniel Jones to battle Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in 2023 who has been injured often and has a lingering shoulder problem. Article content Rookie Tyler Shough, second-year pro Spencer Rattler and unproved Jake Haener will compete to replace Derek Carr, who retired after two seasons in New Orleans. Article content The New York Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency and then traded up to get Jaxson Dart in the first round. General manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll are in win-now mode so whichever quarterback gives them the best chance to compete in a difficult NFC East will get the job.


National Post
8 hours ago
- National Post
Browns place Watson on PUP list with QB expected to miss NFL season
BEREA, Ohio — Deshaun Watson was placed on the physically unable to perform list by the Cleveland Browns as veterans reported to training camp on Tuesday. Article content Watson could potentially miss the entire 2025 season while recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in January. That occurred just three months after he initially injured it against Cincinnati. Article content Article content Article content Watson is 9-10 since being acquired by Cleveland in 2023 with 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 80.7 passer rating. Owner Jimmy Haslam acknowledged during the league meetings in March the Browns 'took a big swing and miss' with the trade. Article content Watson has been rehabbing at the team complex and was in meetings during the offseason program with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Article content Cleveland acquired Pickett in a trade from Philadelphia in March and signed Flacco in April. It drafted Gabriel in the third round and then moved up in the fifth round to take Sanders. Article content The four-way quarterback competition resumes with Wednesday's first practice of training camp. Article content The Browns also placed defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. on the PUP list and wide receiver David Bell on the non-football injury list. Article content