July 20, 2025 – MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
By Bestreams Sports Reporter
By Bestreams Sports Reporter
1. Déjà Vu at the Grand Garden
Twenty-four years and four months ago, a rail-thin 22-year-old from General Santos City shocked the boxing world inside the same MGM Grand Garden Arena, ripping the IBF junior-featherweight title from Lehlo Ledwaba in six electric rounds.
On Saturday night, Manny Pacquiao—now 46, a Hall-of-Famer, former Philippine senator and eight-division world champion—walked through the same tunnel hoping to become the oldest welterweight titlist in history. Instead, he left the ring in a swirl of controversy, applause and disappointment after battling WBC champion Mario Barrios to a majority draw.
On Saturday night, Manny Pacquiao—now 46, a Hall-of-Famer, former Philippine senator and eight-division world champion—walked through the same tunnel hoping to become the oldest welterweight titlist in history. Instead, he left the ring in a swirl of controversy, applause and disappointment after battling WBC champion Mario Barrios to a majority draw.
2. The Fight Flow: Vintage Start, Fading Finish
Early Fireworks
From the opening bell Pacquiao looked reborn.
• Rounds 1-6: He darted in and out, doubling the jab to the body and snapping the straight left behind it.
• Crowd Factor: 13,107 fans—80 % of them flag-waving Filipinos—roared every time he flurried.
• Judges’ Cards: All three officials had Pacquiao ahead through six, some by as many as four points.
• Rounds 1-6: He darted in and out, doubling the jab to the body and snapping the straight left behind it.
• Crowd Factor: 13,107 fans—80 % of them flag-waving Filipinos—roared every time he flurried.
• Judges’ Cards: All three officials had Pacquiao ahead through six, some by as many as four points.
The Shift
Barrios, 30, began timing Pacquiao’s lunges in the middle rounds, digging a thudding left hook to the ribs and countering with the right uppercut inside.
• Rounds 7-9: Barrios out-landed Pacquiao 34-19, visibly slowing the legend’s output.
• Pac-Man’s Fatigue: Between rounds his corner begged for “one more round like the third,” but the snap was gone from his punches.
• Rounds 7-9: Barrios out-landed Pacquiao 34-19, visibly slowing the legend’s output.
• Pac-Man’s Fatigue: Between rounds his corner begged for “one more round like the third,” but the snap was gone from his punches.
Championship Rounds
The final nine minutes decided everything.
• 10-12: Barrios closed strong, bloodying Pacquiao’s nose in the 11th and stunning him with an overhand right in the 12th.
• Scorecards: Two judges tallied 114-114; the third saw it 115-113 for Barrios. A majority draw means the belt stays with the champion.
• 10-12: Barrios closed strong, bloodying Pacquiao’s nose in the 11th and stunning him with an overhand right in the 12th.
• Scorecards: Two judges tallied 114-114; the third saw it 115-113 for Barrios. A majority draw means the belt stays with the champion.
3. Punch Stats & Key Numbers
| Statistic | Pacquiao | Barrios |
|---|---|---|
| Total Punches | 101 / 577 (17.5 %) | 120 / 658 (18.2 %) |
| Power Punches | 81 / 243 (33.3 %) | 75 / 282 (26.6 %) |
| Jabs Landed | 20 / 334 (6.0 %) | 45 / 376 (12.0 %) |
| Body Shots | 34 | 29 |
4. Post-Fight Soundbites
Manny Pacquiao
“I thought I won. The crowd knows. My punches were cleaner. But I started camp late because of the campaign trail. Give me a full camp and I’ll show the world I can still be champion at 47.”
Mario Barrios
“His stamina is crazy—credit to Manny. I’d run it back tomorrow. This was good for boxing, and a rematch would be even bigger.”
5. What’s Next? Roadmap for Both Men
Pacquiao
• Immediate: 4-6 weeks rest, then decide on a full training block.
• Options: WBC has confirmed the rematch clause is automatic if both sides agree.
• Politics: Philippine presidential chatter swirls again; Pacquiao sidestepped questions about 2028.
• Options: WBC has confirmed the rematch clause is automatic if both sides agree.
• Politics: Philippine presidential chatter swirls again; Pacquiao sidestepped questions about 2028.
Barrios
• Mandatory: Jaron “Boots” Ennis looms as WBC interim champion.
• Business: A Barrios-Pacquiao II in December could land on pay-per-view during the festive season, per industry sources.
• Business: A Barrios-Pacquiao II in December could land on pay-per-view during the festive season, per industry sources.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How did the judges score the fight?
-
Judge A: 114-114
-
Judge B: 114-114
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Judge C: 115-113 Barrios
Because two cards were even, the bout is a majority draw and the champion keeps his title.
Q2: Could Pacquiao have won on the cards if one more round had gone his way?
Yes. Had Pacquiao taken any one of the last three rounds on Judge C’s card, the tally would have flipped to 114-114 across the board, creating a unanimous draw and still leaving the belt with Barrios. To win outright he would have needed two of those final rounds on Judge C’s card.
Yes. Had Pacquiao taken any one of the last three rounds on Judge C’s card, the tally would have flipped to 114-114 across the board, creating a unanimous draw and still leaving the belt with Barrios. To win outright he would have needed two of those final rounds on Judge C’s card.
Q3: Is Pacquiao contractually guaranteed a rematch?
The WBC’s “Champion-in-Recess” rule stipulates that a returning former titlist can request an immediate title fight. While the rule does not mandate a sequel, both camps verbally agreed in the ring Saturday to do it again. Expect an announcement within 30 days.
The WBC’s “Champion-in-Recess” rule stipulates that a returning former titlist can request an immediate title fight. While the rule does not mandate a sequel, both camps verbally agreed in the ring Saturday to do it again. Expect an announcement within 30 days.
Q4: How significant is Pacquiao’s performance at 46?
Bernard Hopkins was 46 when he captured the WBC light-heavyweight crown, but did so at 175 lbs. Pacquiao was attempting it at 147 lbs—a weight class where speed and reflex traditionally deteriorate faster. Statistically, he landed 33 % of his power punches, above the welterweight average of 28 %, proving he can still compete at the elite level.
Bernard Hopkins was 46 when he captured the WBC light-heavyweight crown, but did so at 175 lbs. Pacquiao was attempting it at 147 lbs—a weight class where speed and reflex traditionally deteriorate faster. Statistically, he landed 33 % of his power punches, above the welterweight average of 28 %, proving he can still compete at the elite level.
7. Historical Context
| Fighter | Age | Weight Class | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bernard Hopkins | 46 | Light Heavy | W (UD 12) |
| George Foreman | 45 | Heavyweight | W (KO 10) |
| Manny Pacquiao | 46 | Welterweight | Majority Draw |
Pacquiao’s quest now falls just short of joining Hopkins and Foreman as the only men to win “real” world titles past 45.
8. The Scene at the Grand Garden
As the final bell tolled, cell-phone lights dotted the arena like a galaxy of fireflies. Fans chanted “Man-nY! Man-nY!” even as the scorecards were read. Some wept; others applauded the effort more than the outcome. On press row, veteran scribes compared the atmosphere to De La Hoya–Trinidad in ’99—electric, controversial, unforgettable.
9. Final Thought
Whether you view the result as a robbery, a testament to human resilience, or merely another chapter in boxing’s endless gray areas, one truth is inescapable: at an age when most fighters are long retired, Manny Pacquiao just went twelve hard rounds with a world champion sixteen years his junior and came within a whisker of history.
The story isn’t over; it’s simply to be continued.
The story isn’t over; it’s simply to be continued.