MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao’s historic comeback bid ended in a majority draw on Saturday night, as Mario Barrios retained his WBC welterweight title in a tightly contested bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas (Sunday in Manila).
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| Photo courtesy: Premier Boxing Champions |
At 46, Pacquiao showed flashes of his vintage form—using speed, volume, and relentless pressure to win the early and middle rounds, drawing roars from the crowd.
But Barrios, 16 years his junior, mounted a strong comeback in the championship rounds, particularly the 11th and 12th, where he used his reach and jab to land clean counters.
One judge scored the fight 115-113 for Barrios, while the other two had it even at 114-114, resulting in a majority draw.
.@mannypacquiao vs @boxer_barrios ENDS IN A DRAW‼️. WHAT. A. FIGHT. 🔥 #PacquiaoBarrios pic.twitter.com/rMV5Hromc4
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 20, 2025
Notably, Barrios won the final round on all three scorecards—a key factor in preserving his title.
Though Pacquiao did not come away with the win, he proved he could still compete at the highest level. His performance was a reminder of the grit and explosiveness that made him a boxing icon.
The Filipino legend had previously retired in 2021 following a loss to Yordenis Ugás, then ran unsuccessfully for president of the Philippines.
Earlier this year, he also failed in a bid to return to the Philippine Senate.
Despite falling short of making history as the first boxer to win a world title after being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Pacquiao’s return electrified fans and reignited conversations about his enduring greatness.
— The Summit Express