The boxing‘s only eight-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao, proved he still has it after nearly pulling off a massive upset against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, who was 16 years his junior.
The 46-year-old Pacquiao was ahead in all of the judges’ scorecards after the first nine rounds. But Barrios clawed back into the fight, winning the final three rounds to retain his title via a majority draw.
Two judges scored the bout 114-114, while the third judge saw it 115-113 for Barrios.
Pacquiao was the massive underdog in his comeback fight after nearly a four-year retirement. But he stunned the boxing world with plenty of big moments in the bout.
“I thought I won the fight,” Pacquiao said during the post-fight interview following the decision. “It was a close fight. He was very tough. I had to find a way to finish the fight better, but my opponent is so tough. He threw a lot of good combinations and had defense. It was a tough fight.”
The result denied the Filipino boxing legend from becoming the second-oldest boxer to win a world title belt after Bernard Hopkins and the first to have won one after his induction to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
The former Philippine senator was so proud of his performance that he sent a strong message to his fellow boxers — active and retired.
“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.
He did more than just fight.
Pacquiao-Barrios Rematch
Barrios, who will make no more than $2.5 million, the most lucrative fight of his career, welcomes a second dance with the boxing legend.
“I’ll do the rematch,” Barrios said during the post-fight interview. “Absolutely. This was huge for boxing. I’d love to do it again.”
The taller and much younger Barrios was thrown off Pacquiao’s surprising energy.
“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.”
But the proud American-Mexican champion believed he did enough to win.
“I didn’t think the fight was getting away from me, but I knew I had to step it up to solidify a win,” the 30-year-old champion said. “The plan was to press him and try to make him feel old. But he’s still got good legs.”
Ugas in Awe of Pacquiao
Yordenis Ugas, who fought both fighters in the past, marveled at Pacquiao’s ageless performance.
“Damn, but I’d heard all along that the Pacquiao who fought me was finished, dead, nothing,” Ugas wrote on X. “How is it possible that four years later he comes against a kid 16 years younger and puts up another good fight?
“It was a very close fight. But Pac-Man is incredible. Without a doubt, one of the best fighters in history.”
Ugas was the last boxer Pacquiao faced before he retired. The Cuban boxer defeated Pacquiao via unanimous decision in 2021 but lost to Barrios in 2023.
Pacquiao Sends Powerful Message After Ageless Comeback Fight