Pacquiao demands rematch after a bitter draw and a lesson in resilience

Boxing has moments that transcend belts. What took place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas was one of those. Manny Pacquiao, at 46, stepped back into the ring to face reigning champion Mario Barrios. It was a fight packed with nostalgia, emotion, and symbolic weight that went far beyond the scorecards. Yet the final result didn’t satisfy: a majority draw left Pacquiao without the world title, though with undiminished respect.

According to sports outlet Marca, the judges’ scorecards stunned the crowd: 115-113 for Barrios, 114-114, and 114-114. While the draw might sound diplomatic, many in the arena felt Manny Pacquiao did enough to win. The veteran boxer looked solid—his legs fresher than in his last outing against Yordenis Ugas in 2021. He surprised with his movement, quick reactions, and composure against an opponent 16 years younger.

A fight that didn’t ease up

In the early rounds, Pacquiao controlled the pace. He was intense, aggressive, and tactically sharp. He kept Barrios on the defensive, forcing him to take cover behind his guard far more than expected.

.@mannypacquiao vs @boxer_barrios ENDS IN A DRAW‼️. WHAT. A. FIGHT. 🔥 #PacquiaoBarrios pic.twitter.com/rMV5Hromc4

— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 20, 2025

Spectators were shocked—not because Pacquiao was landing knockout bombs like he did against Hatton, Cotto or De la Hoya—but because he fought smarter, more calculated, and with the hunger to prove he still belongs among boxing’s elite.

Barrios frozen in respect

Mario Barrios, meanwhile, seemed overly cautious in facing a living icon. His corner grew agitated as the rounds passed, warning him with a blunt command: “Stop respecting him too damn much.” Only then did Barrios show more fire, trying to impose his reach and timing. But the eighth and tenth rounds clearly belonged to Pacquiao, who stayed active and connected better in the eyes of many observers.

Pacquiao didn’t win the belt, but he earned another standing ovation. “I want a rematch. My mission is to inspire the Filipino people,” he declared afterward. During his walkout, as ‘Eye of the Tiger’ blasted and smiles filled the air, Pac-Man made it clear that this fight wasn’t just about sports—it was personal, cultural, and deeply emotional.

And so, at 46, Pacquiao didn’t reclaim his throne, but he won back the hearts of boxing fans. In a sport that rarely forgives Father Time, Manny Pacquiao challenged it once more. Now the question is whether he’ll do the unthinkable—entice Mayweather out of retirement.