On Saturday night in Las Vegas, NV, International Boxing Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao returned after a four-year layoff to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on PPV. Although after 12 rounds, where two of the judges scored it a tie, watching it live from inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena, it looked as though Pacquiao could have been awarded the decision victory.
Manny Pacquiao Fought Like A 46-Year-Old Fighter
Boxing is a hard enough sport as it is, but when you are a living legend like Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs), even at his advanced age, fans still expect to be thrilled with the versions of him that they remember from the glory days. Although Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs) said all week leading into fight night that he wasn’t going to get wrapped up in the thought of fighting a legend, when the bell sounded to begin the fight, it appeared that he did.
Pacquiao began right from the start to test the IQ of the younger Barrios by executing numerous foot feints and showcasing different angles. Barrios was either trying his best to see what Pacquiao had to offer, or the bright lights were a little overwhelming, as he was barely throwing any punches. Barrios would throw out that jab but only as a range finder with Pacquiao “downloading the data” he was being given.
After the first round, Barrios got into his rhythm, which was all behind his left jab. Pacquiao would fight in spurts but could not find a way to figure out Barrios until the second half of the fight. That’s when Pacquiao was warmed up and ready to execute his offense based on everything he was shown in the first six rounds. Barrios should have made an adjustment, and since he didn’t, Pacquiao capitalized off it and began darting forward and landing those hard, straight left hands. There were moments late in the fight when Barrios was in trouble, but Pacquiao couldn’t do anything more than that.
Barrios would win the last three rounds on all three judges’ scorecards, but it can be argued that at least one of those should have been for Pacquiao. In the end, the decision was a majority draw, but if Pacquiao had been given one of those close championship rounds, it would have been a different story.
Mario Barrios & Manny Pacquiao Want A Rematch
While in the ring during their post-fight interviews, both Pacquiao and Barrios talked about a rematch. “I thought I won the fight. It was a close fight. He was very tough,” said Pacquiao. “I need to continue my training for longer going into a championship fight. Because of the election, I started late, but it’s okay. Of course, I’d like a rematch. I want to leave a legacy and make the Filipino people proud.”
Barrios was surprised that the ultra-vet Pacquiao was able to hang in there and remain as competitive as he was. “His stamina is crazy. He’s still strong as hell, and his timing is real. He’s still a very awkward fighter to try to figure out,” said Barrios. “I’ll do the rematch. Absolutely. This was huge for boxing. I’d love to do it again.”
Boxing is a business, and the amount of attention this event received, especially during fight week, shows that Pacquiao remains a draw. A rematch is possible, although MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons told Lance Pugmire after the fight that he would prefer Gervonta “Tank” Davis or Rolando Romero instead of a rematch with Barrios. Only time will tell which direction Pacquiao goes in, but for now, he’s back, and if there is an opportunity for one or two big fights before truly retiring, then let’s see them play out within the next 18 months.
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