‘I thought I won’: Pacquiao’s return ends in draw, Barrios retains — PHOTOS
Manny Pacquiao was the underdog all week until he walked to the ring inside the MGM Grand Garden on Saturday.
Loud ovations followed Pacquiao all night in his first fight in nearly four years. “Manny” chants echoed throughout the arena with Philippine flags waving from all corners.
The 46-year-old fighter showed signs of his younger self early in his WBC welterweight championship bout against titleholder Mario Barrios. But the lack of 12-round reps eventually caught up to him with the two fighting to a majority draw.
Judge Max De Luca scored the fight 115-113 for Barrios. Steve Weisfeld and Tim Cheatham each scored it 114-114, allowing Barrios to retain his world championship.
“I thought I won the fight,” Pacquiao said in the ring afterward. “It was a close fight. He was very tough.”
Pacquiao (62-8-3) isn’t wrong in thinking he had won. He had the lead through nine rounds, according to the judges. Weisfeld and Cheatham had Pacquiao up 114-111 heading into the 10th round.
But Barrios (29-2-2) landed seven more punches over the final three rounds, and all three judges were in agreement that he won those rounds.
“It was an honor 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.”
Pacquiao, the former senator and presidential candidate of his native Philippines, returned to the ring after nearly four years away. His last fight was in August 2021, a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas at T-Mobile Arena.
Pacquiao was welcomed to the ring by an announced crowd of 13,107, most of which was in strong support of him.
“I hope this is an inspiration to boxers that if you have discipline and work hard you can still fight at this age,” he said.
Fans were captivated by every movement he made. Even when Pacquiao missed, the crowd felt he was on the verge of a sudden knockdown or power shot that would lead to an opening.
It never came, though. Pacquiao said he was more tactical in this fight, adding he felt he needed to throw more punches. He connected on just 17.5 percent of his shots (101 of 577). Barrios withstood the hostile territory and connected on 18.2 percent (120 of 658) of his blows.
“His stamina is crazy,” Barrios said. “He’s still strong as hell and his timing is real. He’s still a very awkward fighter to try to figure out.”
Pacquiao said he would love a rematch, admitting that he needs to better his stamina and training when going into a championship fight. He announced he was coming out of retirement on May 21, then fought less than two months later.
Pacquiao said this isn’t a one-off. He plans to fight again. He’ll turn 47 in December.
“The plan was to press him and try to make him feel old,” Barrios said. “But he’s still got good legs.”
Results from the undercard
Sebastian Fundora retained his WBC super welterweight championship by way of technical knockout in the seventh round against Tim Tszyu.
The 6-foot-6-inch Fundora knocked Tszyu down in the first round. Tszyu, a native of Australia, fought back in the middle rounds but ultimately couldn’t overcome Fundora’s barrage and was unable to come out of his corner to start the eighth round.
Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz cruised to a unanimous decision victory over Omar Salcido to retain his WBC interim super lightweight championship.
Cruz was set to fight Angel Fierro in a rematch from their bout in February, but Fierro withdrew Friday due to health issues.
“I give the ultimate respect to Omar for stepping up. He’s a great fighter, but I’m a world champion. I give him props for stepping up,” Cruz said through a translator. “I was more disappointed in Fierro than anything because he was all bark and no bite, and I’m all bite.”
Brandon Figueroa defeated Joet Gonzalez by unanimous decision in a featherweight bout.
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
