LAS VEGAS — More than two decades after his U.S. debut at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Manny Pacquiao returned to the same venue Saturday night, aiming to make history as the oldest fighter to win a welterweight championship.
At 46 years old, the Filipino boxing legend came close — but fell just short — as his bout against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios ended in a majority draw. Barrios retained his title as a result, with scorecards reading 114-114, 114-114, and 115-113 in his favor.
“I thought I won the fight,” said a visibly disappointed Pacquiao. “It was a close fight. He was very tough.”
Pacquiao started strong, showcasing flashes of his vintage form and quickly building an early lead. By the 10th round, he was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards. But Barrios, 16 years Pacquiao’s junior, rallied late and swept the final rounds to earn the draw before a sold-out crowd of 13,107 — most of them cheering for Pacquiao.
A Remarkable Comeback After Retirement
Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs) had not fought since his 2021 loss to Yordenis Ugas. Just a month after being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, he ended his four-year retirement to pursue one more shot at glory.
In the opening rounds, he looked sharp, using his trademark speed and angles to penetrate Barrios’ defense and thrill his loyal fans. But as the fight wore on, Pacquiao’s pace slowed — perhaps a sign of his age and abbreviated training camp.
“I need to continue my training for longer going into a championship fight,” Pacquiao admitted. “Because of the election I started late, but it’s OK. Of course I’d like a rematch. I want to leave a legacy and make the Filipino people proud.”
Barrios Retains His Title
Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs) had only lost to Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman before this fight. Despite being handpicked by Pacquiao for his return, Barrios proved he could withstand Pacquiao’s early pressure and adapt late in the bout.
“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.”
Statistically, the fight was close: Pacquiao landed 101 of 577 punches (17.5%) compared to Barrios’ 120 of 658 (18.2%). In power punches, Pacquiao led 81-75.
Barrios welcomed the idea of a rematch, saying, “Absolutely. This was huge for boxing. I’d love to do it again.”
What’s Next for Pacquiao?
The fight may not have ended the way Pacquiao hoped, but it proved he can still compete at a high level despite his age.
“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.
Whether he gets his rematch or chooses another path, one thing is certain: Manny Pacquiao’s legacy as one of boxing’s greatest champions remains untarnished.