Pacquiao saddened by draw verdict, wants rematch

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Believing he won the fight, Manny Pacquiao wants another shot at Mexican-American champion Mario Barrios

LAS VEGAS, USA – The vintage Manny Pacquiao showed up and nearly pulled off a shocker to remember. 

Instead, the living legend had to settle for a majority draw with Mario Barrios, who retained the World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight belt on Saturday, July 19 (Sunday, July 20, Philippine time).

For majority of the 13,107 capacity crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and the thousands of pay-per-view viewers, however, Pacquiao had already won.

Already 46 years old and 47 months away from the ring, Pacquiao proved he can compete with the best of the new generation champions, and even potentially beat them — proving yet agains he’s worthy of emulation and adulation as one of the greatest fighters ever.

The judges, however, saw the fight differently and scored it 114-114, 114-114, and 115-113 for Barrios, the 30-year-old, two-division champion who spoiled Pacquiao’s date with destiny as the first Hall of Famer to win a world title after being inducted.

Just like the fans, who chanted the familiar “Manny, Manny, Manny…” and booed Barrios during the post-fight interview, Pacquiao got sad with the draw verdict.

Pacquiao, the lone eight-division world champion, the oldest 147-pound titlist, and the only man to wear crowns in four decades, felt that he should have won, 8-4, in his record 16th appearance at MGM Grand.

“I thought I won the fight. It was a close fight. He was very tough,” said Pacquiao, whose record now stands at 62-8-3 with 39 knockouts. 

“I had to find a way to finish the fight better but my opponent is so tough. He threw a lot of good combinations and had defense.”

Trying to feel upbeat, Pacquiao said the important thing is: “Pacman is back, the journey continues,” hinting that another fight within the year is in the offing.

Barrios, now 29-2-2, with 18 knockouts, also thought that the decision should have gone his way.

“I feel like I won the fight,” said the two-division world champion, who, however, admitted that trainer Bob Santos prodded him to press more in the last three rounds.

Fortunately, he responded to the call, swept the championship rounds, and salvaged a draw.

Barrios was thankful for the opportunity given him by Pacquiao, who turned pro before he was born.

“It was an honor to share the ring with him. This is by far the biggest event I’ve had to date and we came in here and left everything in the ring. I have nothing but respect for Manny.”

To find out who really is the better man, Barrios said: “I’ll do the rematch. Absolutely. This was huge for boxing. I’d love to do it again.”

Pacquiao is on the same page.

“Of course I’d like a rematch. I want to leave a legacy and make the Filipino people proud.”

Pacquiao need not worry. He gave it all, and despite only seven weeks of training, put up a performance that defies time, logic, and science. It enhances, rather than detracts from, his legacy. – Rappler.com