Pacquiao, returning to the ring after nearly four years away, showed he still had the hand speed, footwork, and tactical ring IQ that made him a legend. The 12-round fight went the distance, with the judges' scorecards reading 115-113 for Barrios and two 114-114 draws.
Before the fight, oddsmakers had Barrios as the favorite at -275. But Pacquiao's performance defied expectations, leading him to declare post-fight, "I thought I won the fight."
The crowd at the MGM Grand jeered when the decision was announced. Online, fans expressed their fury, with many on social media calling the result a "robbery." There were loud calls for accountability and transparency from the judges.
"I wasn't just coming back for nostalgia," Pacquiao said. "The fire still burns inside me."
Pacquiao's career spans an impressive 62 wins, 9 losses, and now 2 draws. He's won world championships in 12 weight classes across 8 divisions. This comeback attempt wasn't just about adding another fight to his record - Pacquiao aimed to become the first Hall-of-Famer to claim a world title in four different decades.
Barrios, for his part, expressed respect for his opponent after the fight. "Manny Pacquiao is a legend for a reason," he said. "His speed and ring IQ are still top-notch."
The controversial result has set the stage for a potential rematch. Both fighters have hinted at their interest in a second bout. For Pacquiao, it's a chance to prove he can still compete at the highest level. For Barrios, it's an opportunity to silence any doubts about his title reign.
As the dust settles on this unexpected draw, the boxing world waits to see what's next for both fighters. Will there be a rematch? Can Pacquiao achieve his goal of a title in a fourth decade? Or will this mark the final chapter in the storied career of one of boxing's all-time greats? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure - Manny Pacquiao has shown he's not done yet.