After nearly four years in retirement, Manny Pacquiao (46) stepped back into the ring on July 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to face current WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. The Filipino legend aimed to become the oldest boxer in history to win a world title in that division, but his comeback ended in a majority draw, leaving behind both controversy and admiration.
From the opening rounds, Manny Pacquiao showed that he still possessed his trademark speed, sharp technique, and stamina. He dominated the middle of the fight, landing 81 power punches compared to Barrios’ 75, while absorbing 120 punches against his own 101. The crowd of over 13,000 fans made their presence felt, cheering every exchange with electric energy.
However, the tide turned in the final three rounds, where the judges leaned clearly in Barrios’ favor. The final decision came in as two 114–114 scorecards and one 115–113 for Barrios, enough for him to retain the title in a razor-close call. The result sparked outrage both in the arena and on social media, with many fans claiming, “Pac-Man was robbed.”
After the fight, Manny Pacquiao said: “I thought I won. It was a close fight. My opponent was very strong. It was a great bout,” and he immediately expressed interest in a rematch. Barrios, while keeping the belt, admitted it was more of a relief than a triumph, and he too left the door open for a second showdown.
Can Pacquiao still become the oldest welterweight world champion?
That’s the question lingering after his return. Manny Pacquiao not only proved that he can still compete at the highest level, but he also earned renewed support and admiration. If a rematch takes place, and he wins, he could go down in history as the oldest welterweight world champion ever, further solidifying his unbreakable legacy.
