Eppe Franklyne –
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Manny Pacquiao returned to the ring after nearly four years and fought Mario Barrios to a majority draw.
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Two judges scored the fight a draw, while one gave a 115-113 victory to Barrios, allowing him to retain the WBC welterweight title.
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Pacquiao, 46 and recently inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, aimed to extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion.
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The Filipino legend, with 12 world titles across eight divisions, showed resilience but fell short on the scorecards.
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Barrios, 30, was the favorite but didn’t secure an emphatic win, drawing boos from the pro-Pacquiao crowd.
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Pacquiao’s record improved to 62-9-2, and he indicated he may continue fighting.
Manny Pacquiao made a valiant return to boxing on Saturday night, battling Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship in a closely contested bout that ended in a majority draw. Despite the fierce determination displayed by the 46-year-old Filipino icon, two judges saw the fight evenly matched, with the third narrowly favoring Barrios, who retained his title.
Pacquiao, who was recently enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame and holds an extraordinary career spanning multiple weight classes and decades, sought to become the oldest welterweight champion in history. Though he demonstrated his trademark heart and skill, the judge’s scorecards reflected a razor-thin margin.
Barrios, the betting favorite and younger contender, was unable to secure a clear victory in front of a crowd heavily backing Pacquiao. The decision sparked loud boos, as many felt the veteran legend deserved the win. Undeterred, Pacquiao hinted at a desire to continue competing, adding another chapter to his storied career.


