Manny Pacquiao calls for a rematch after controversial draw in boxing comeback vs. Mario Barrios

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao made his highly anticipated professional comeback on Sunday, July 20 (Philippine Standard Time), when he fought Mario Barrios for the World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title before a capacity crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The fight between Pacquiao and Barrios ended in a controversial majority draw after 12 rounds, with two judges scoring the bout 114–114, while the third judge scored it 115–113 in favor of Barrios. The result meant that Barrios retained his WBC welterweight title and improved his record to 29-2-2 with 18 knockouts, while Pacquiao’s career record dropped to 62-8-3.

The 46-year-old was not happy with the result, stating that he believed he had won the bout and immediately called for a rematch.

“I thought after the 12 rounds, I won the fight, like 8–4. That’s my analysis of the fight. I’m surprised by the announcement that it’s a draw. I did my best in the ring. I thought I won the fight. I need to continue my training longer going into a championship fight. Because of the election, I started late — but it’s okay. Of course, I would like a rematch. I want to leave a legacy and make the Filipino people proud,” Pacquiao said in a media interaction.

He explained that he had started training late due to his political commitments following the Philippine senatorial election in May.

“For four years I didn’t have a fight, and training for two months is not enough. I started late because of the election in the Philippines. During those two months of training, I disciplined myself. I focused on nothing else — just training. I’m so happy with my performance, considering I had only two months of training and no fight for four years. For a fight like that, I want three or four months of training, but it just so happened that I was campaigning. I was busy — that’s why I started late,” he concluded.

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

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

Pacquiao’s belief that he won wasn’t unfounded, as many boxing pundits, fans, and even fellow fighters felt that the Filipino legend should have been declared the winner.

Manny Pacquiao MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons echoed Pacquiao’s sentiments, claiming his fighter won the bout clearly.

“Manny Pacquiao beat Mario Barrios. What’s the need to fight him again? If Manny wants to fight again, there are fighters like Rolly Romero, there’s Gervonta Davis. Not a knock on Barrios — I like him, I like everyone around him — but he doesn’t move the needle. He’s just a nice person. Nobody wants to see a nice person. You need a Rolly Romero, you need a Gervonta Davis,” Gibbons said.

Barrios, for his part, disagreed with Pacquiao’s claims and confirmed he would be ready for a rematch if the opportunity arises.

“I felt like I won the fight, and I feel like the last three rounds really solidified that. But you never know what some people see or are looking for in the fights. I have no hesitation about a rematch. I feel like I don’t have anything left to prove. If he wanted to run it back, that would be completely his choice, but I’m with it if that’s what he wants,” Barrios said.

In the undercard, Filipino superstar Mark Magsayo defeated Jorge Mata Cuéllar by unanimous decision in the super featherweight division, while Eumir Marcial scored a third-round TKO victory over Bernard Joseph in the middleweight category.

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