Pacquiao’s Comeback Spark Met Barrios’s Late Rally in Las
Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios fought to a majority draw on July 19, 2025, at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Barrios retained his WBC welterweight championship after twelve rounds, denying Pacquiao a title-winning return to the ring.
Pacquiao found openings after a long absence
Competing for the first time since 2021, Pacquiao showed that his timing and quick attacks remained dangerous. His strongest moments included an eighth-round burst that brought the crowd to its feet.
The veteran’s success came through power punching rather than a sustained jab advantage. CompuBox recorded 81 landed power shots for Pacquiao against 75 for Barrios.
The champion’s late rounds proved crucial
Barrios landed 45 jabs to Pacquiao’s 20 and finished strongly. All three judges awarded him the final three rounds, an important recovery as the close contest approached its conclusion.
Two officials ultimately returned 114–114 cards. The third scored it 115–113 for Barrios, producing a majority draw and keeping the championship with its defending holder.
Neither fighter dismissed another meeting
Pacquiao said afterward that he believed he had done enough to win, while acknowledging the difficulty of facing Barrios. The champion praised Pacquiao’s stamina, strength and awkward timing.
Both expressed interest in a rematch during their post-fight comments. The completed result, however, was a draw: Pacquiao added a competitive championship performance to his comeback, while Barrios preserved his title through a late rally rather than securing a unanimous verdict.
Sources
- Premier Boxing Champions: date, venue, round-eight rally, punch statistics and reactions
- Premier Boxing Champions: majority-draw scorecards
- Reuters: comeback context and Barrios’s retained WBC championship
