On July 19, 2025, boxing legend Manny Pacquiao returned to the ring at the age of 46 to challenge WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. The bout ended in a majority draw, sparking widespread reactions from fans, commentators, and the fighters themselves. Here’s a complete breakdown of the fight, including strategy, scoring, reactions, and what this result means for both fighters and the sport.
Fight Overview
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Date: July 19, 2025
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Venue: MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas
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Title on the Line: WBC Welterweight World Championship
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Official Result: Majority Draw
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115–113 Barrios
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114–114
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114–114
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Purses:
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Manny Pacquiao: $12 million
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Mario Barrios: $1 million
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Fight Strategy
Manny Pacquiao
Pacquiao relied on his trademark volume punching, fast combinations, and unpredictable movement. Despite his age, he maintained impressive speed and control during the first two-thirds of the fight, applying pressure and dictating the pace.
Mario Barrios
Barrios started cautiously, using his reach advantage with jabs and occasional counters. He seemed hesitant early on but picked up momentum in the final rounds, landing solid combinations and increasing his aggression as Pacquiao’s pace dropped.
Round-by-Round Summary
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Rounds 1–5:
Pacquiao established dominance with speed and pressure. Barrios focused on range control but failed to fully capitalize. -
Rounds 6–9:
Pacquiao clearly outlanded Barrios, especially with strong uppercuts and body shots. Many had him comfortably ahead by Round 9. -
Rounds 10–12:
Barrios came alive. He upped the tempo, landed cleaner punches, and convincingly won the final rounds—enough to earn the draw on two scorecards.
What the Draw Tells Us
Although no knockout occurred, the draw revealed several things:
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Pacquiao can still compete at the elite level.
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Barrios’ late rally preserved his title but wasn’t enough to convince most analysts.
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Controversy over scorecards reignited the debate over judging transparency.
Many observers felt Pacquiao had done enough to win. The draw was widely viewed as a “gift” for Barrios.
Significance of the Fight
For Manny Pacquiao
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Nearly made history as the oldest welterweight champion ever.
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Proved he’s still a force at 46, with superior accuracy and work rate.
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Re-entered the global boxing conversation.
For Boxing
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A rare generational clash that reignited fan interest.
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Showed that legends can still sell and perform.
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Highlighted ongoing problems in judging consistency.
Post-Fight Reactions
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Manny Pacquiao:
“I thought I won. I respect Barrios, but I believe I did enough. I’d love a rematch.” -
Mario Barrios:
“He’s an incredible warrior. His stamina is unbelievable. Much respect to Manny.” -
Commentators:
Analysts like Shawn Porter and Shakur Stevenson openly questioned the scorecards.
Many described the result as a robbery or political decision. -
Fans:
The crowd booed the decision loudly. Social media erupted with outrage and memes demanding justice for Pacquiao.
What’s Next?
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A rematch between Pacquiao and Barrios seems inevitable.
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Rumors of Pacquiao vs Mayweather II have resurfaced with intensity.
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Barrios may face other contenders unless he rematches Pacquiao directly.
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Pacquiao hasn’t ruled out continuing, showing he’s far from finished.
Official Payouts
| Fighter | Purse |
|---|---|
| Manny Pacquiao | $12,000,000 |
| Mario Barrios | $1,000,000 |
