Manny Pacquiao's return to professional boxing ended in a majority draw against Mario Barrios. The 46-year-old Filipino legend came out of retirement to fight for the WBC welterweight belt.
Fans chanted "Manny, Manny" throughout the 12-round bout. Pacquiao showed he's still in good physical condition despite his age. Barrios proved to be a tough opponent, showing character and at times disrespecting the eight-division champion.
After the fight, Pacquiao took to social media to share his thoughts:
"Thank you, Lord, for keeping us safe in the ring. I want to thank my wife, my children, my family, my team and everyone who supported me during this fight. Mario Barrios, you are a true warrior. It was an honor to share the ring with you. Even after all these years, I felt great in the ring. I thank God for the strength and grace to continue competing at this level."
He also had a message for his supporters:
"To all my fans around the world, especially my fellow Filipinos, thank you for your love, prayers and support. This may not have been the result we were hoping for, but I gave it my best and will always fight with heart, for God, for my family and for my country."
The controversial decision didn't dampen the public's enthusiasm for Pacquiao's historic return. Since announcing his comeback, he's received only positive reactions from fans.
Pacquiao plans to continue boxing and set up a new fight. While his next opponent is uncertain, his name on a fight card still guarantees box office success. The Filipino icon's nearly 30-year professional career continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
