Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios fought to a controversial majority draw in Las Vegas. The bout for the WBC welterweight title ended with Barrios keeping his belt after the judges couldn't separate the fighters.
The clash took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 19, 2025. It marked Pacquiao's return to the ring after nearly four years away. The Filipino icon, now 46, had last fought in 2021 when he lost to Yordenis Ugas.
Pacquiao, a recent Hall of Fame inductee and former champion in eight weight divisions, showed he still had plenty left in the tank. He landed 101 punches overall, with 81 of those being power shots. His speed and sharp combinations impressed the crowd and commentators alike.
Barrios, 16 years younger and six inches taller than Pacquiao, put up a strong fight. The 30-year-old from San Antonio landed 120 punches in total, with 75 power punches connecting. He used his jab effectively and showed great composure, especially in the later rounds.
The judges' scorecards read 115-113 for Barrios and two 114-114 draws. This decision didn't sit well with a section of the Vegas crowd, who booed the outcome. Many commentators and analysts felt Pacquiao had been hard done by.
After the fight, Pacquiao said:
"I thought I won the fight. Because of the election I started late ... Of course I'd like a rematch. I want to leave a legacy and make the Filipino people proud. In a championship fight like this, I should train for three months ... but it's okay."
Pacquiao's preparation time for this bout was unusually short. He announced his comeback in May 2025, giving him only two months to get ready. Typically, he'd take six to eight months for a title shot.
Barrios, who claimed the WBC interim title in 2023 and defended it twice, praised his opponent:
"It was an absolute honour to share the ring with him ... I'll do the rematch. Absolutely. His stamina ... he's still strong as hell."
The fight showed that despite his age and time away from the sport, Pacquiao can still compete at the highest level. His performance rivaled that of a boxer in their prime, even with the shortened preparation time.
Both fighters expressed interest in a rematch, setting the stage for what could be another exciting showdown in the welterweight division.
