Manny Pacquiao has set his sights on a rematch with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios after their 12-round title clash ended in a majority draw on his return to professional boxing.
Fighting at age 46 after four years out of the ring, the Filipino boxing legend impressed early on at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas but faded in the later rounds.
Judges scored the bout 115-113 for Barrios and 114-114 on two cards, denying Pacquiao a fairytale return.
“I thought I won the fight,” Pacquiao said post-fight. “It was close, but I felt I did enough.”
The last time Pacquiao secured a stoppage was in 2018, having fought just five times since then. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Pacquiao had been ahead on the cards after nine rounds, but Barrios closed strongly to secure the draw. Stats showed Pacquiao landed 101 punches (17.5%) to Barrios’ 120 (18.2%), with the Filipino throwing more power punches (81 to 75).
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Despite the result, Pacquiao, who won 12 world titles across eight weight divisions, is already looking ahead to a possible rematch. He also reignited talk of a second fight with former rival Floyd Mayweather.
“If Mayweather comes out of retirement and signs the contract, we’ll fight,” he said. “Let’s fight again if he wants. I’m active now.”
Pacquiao was competing in his 73rd professional fight. Photo Credit: Getty Images
The former Philippine senator was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June 2025, becoming the first inductee to return to world title contention after enshrinement.
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Granted the shot under WBC rules for returning champions, Pacquiao showed flashes of his old speed and aggression, despite age beginning to tell in the later rounds.
Barrios, 16 years Pacquiao’s junior, retained his WBC title but now faces renewed pressure for a rematch, as Pacquiao eyes at least one more high-profile bout before the end of 2025.
