At 46, the Filipino icon proves he still belongs among boxing’s elite after four-year hiatus.
Manny Pacquiao’s return to the ring after a four-year retirement ended in a dramatic majority draw against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Despite being 16 years older than his opponent, the 46-year-old Pacquiao showed flashes of brilliance at the MGM Grand. He surpassed expectations with his signature speed and power.
Although one judge saw the fight 115-113 in favour of Barrios, the other two scored it evenly at 114-114, resulting in a draw that many fans felt could have gone either way.
Throughout the early rounds, Pacquiao looked like his vintage self. He unleashed sharp combinations and maintained slick footwork, even though he had just two months to prepare due to political commitments in the Philippines.
However, as the bout progressed, Barrios’ youth and endurance started to make a difference. The Mexican-American finished the final three rounds stronger, clawing his way back on the scorecards and securing the draw.
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While the final punch stats were close — Pacquiao landed 101 of 577 punches (17.5%) compared to Barrios’ 120 of 658 (18.2%) — it was clear the fight had pushed both men to the limit. Notably, Pacquiao also edged the power punch count, 81 to 75.
Although the fight didn’t end with his arm raised, Pacquiao’s resilience and competitiveness at 46 were nothing short of remarkable. Having been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, the fact that he went the distance against a reigning champion is already a feat in itself.
Barrios, who admitted that Pacquiao’s power and timing were still elite, praised his opponent’s stamina. Yet Pacquiao isn’t done. He has already called for a rematch — and if that doesn’t materialise, he’s open to another bout entirely.
“I thought I won,” Pacquiao said.
“But I’ll train longer next time. This was for the Filipino people.”
Tags: Manny Pacquiao, WBC welterweight champion, Mario Barrios, Filipino, International Boxing Hall of Fame, MGM Grand.
