Manny Pacquiao's shock result in comeback fight brings more questions than answers
Many within boxing had spoken out against Pacquiao's return, as boxing's only eight-weight world champion fought professionally for the first time since 2021.
Yet the Filipino legend impressed in Las Vegas, against an admittedly underwhelming Barrios, 30. Those factors combined for a 114-114 draw on two of the three judges' scorecards, while the other read 115-113 in Barrios's favour.
While Pacquiao had been coy before the fight about what might come next, he naturally would not have planned for a draw. A rematch against American Barrios looks likely, however.
'It wasn't necessarily about respect,' Barrios said about his inability to see off Pacquiao. 'It was just, you know... He still has a lot of crack. For his age, he was very explosive, tricky, and I just wasn't trying to make a mistake by overcommitting on a shot that I wasn't sure of.
'I prepared for the best Pacquiao, but he's still tricky in there, still has so much experience and showed that tonight. You know, it was a really good learning experience for me. I'm still proud of everything I was able to do.'
Pacquiao was trying to break his own record as the oldest-ever welterweight champion, but he was unable to leave the MGM Grand with victory secured. In his previous pro bout, in 2021, he was outpointed by Yordenis Ugas in Vegas.
A shock move by Pacquiao could be a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, 48, who beat the Filipino in one of the most lucrative boxing matches of all time in 2015.
'Manny is always ready,' Sean Gibbons, from Pacquiao's promotional company, told Sky Sports. 'After that performance last night, you better check with Floyd!'
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