
Pacquiao held to draw by Barrios in world title return
Barrios was awarded the fight 115-113 by one judge, with the other two cards scoring it 114-114.
The result drew a subdued reaction from the MGM Grand Garden Arena crowd, who had roared on Pacquiao during a cagey, hard-fought contest.
At times, it seemed as if Pacquiao was poised to write another improbable chapter in his 30-year professional career as he used all of his guile and experience to frustrate Barrios.
But Barrios rallied furiously over the final three rounds -- he was deemed the winner of those rounds on all three cards -- to do just enough to force a result that sees him retain his title.
"I thought I won the fight," Pacquiao said afterwards. "I mean, it was a close fight. My opponent was very tough. But it was a wonderful fight.
"I was trying to find a way to finish the fight but my opponent was so tough. He threw punches in combination and with defense, so it was hard."
Barrios, meanwhile, felt he had done enough to deserve the draw.
"I thought I pulled it out," Barrios said. "But I still tip my hat to Manny. It was an honor to share the ring with him, somebody with so much experience who has accomplished so much in this sport. We left everything in the ring, nothing but love and respect."
Barrios admitted he had been awed by Pacquiao's remarkable reserves of energy and stamina.
"That's crazy -- his stamina, he can still crack and he's still strong as hell. His timing, his rhythm, everything. He was still a very awkward fighter to figure out," he said.
Rematch offer
Barrios said he had been made aware that he needed to up his workrate to force the result over the closing rounds.
"I knew I had to step it up to try to and solidify a win," Barrios said.
"I was really pressing him, trying to make him feel old. But he has some good legs -- a lot of the tank and a lot of fight left in him.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, said that he hoped to continue fighting, and would be open to a rematch with Barrios.
"Of course, of course," he replied when asked if he wanted to continue his career and face Barrios again.
"That's the only legacy that I can leave behind -- to give inspiration to the Filipino people and to be proud wherever you are."
Barrios, for his part, added he was open to facing Pacquiao again.
"I would love to do it again," he said during a ring interview.
Pacquiao, whose last win came in 2019, had been regarded as a heavy underdog against his taller, rangier opponent from Texas.
But the Filipino eight-division champion, one of the most beloved fighters of the era, showed little sign of being troubled for long periods.
Fighting in flurries and landing crisp combinations throughout, Pacquiao consistently looked the busier fighter during the early and middle rounds.
Barrios, by contrast, appeared tentative, reluctant to risk going toe-to-toe early on against the experienced Filipino.
Yet for all of Pacquiao's craft, he was unable to seriously hurt Barrios, who regrouped impressively in the later rounds to connect with several jabs and do just enough to force the draw.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


France 24
43 minutes ago
- France 24
US sprinter Kerley out of US trials
Kerley, a two-time Olympic 100m medallist and world champion in 2022, announced his withdrawal on social media. "The 100m should be a straight sprint," Kerley wrote. "2025 has presented many hurdles. Taking some time out to get back on track. No USATF Champs this year. Thanks to all my supporters." Kerley, 30, was a silver medallist in the 100m at the Tokyo Olympics and won bronze in the event in Paris last year. In 2022 he stormed to gold at the world championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, the venue for this week's US championships, which doubles as trials for the World Championships. Kerley had clocked a respectable 9.98sec for the 100m in May. However his season has been overshadowed by controversy away from the track. In early May he withdrew from the Grand Slam Track meeting in Miami after being arrested for battery. In January he was arrested by police in Miami Beach following a confrontation with officers that led to him being tasered. He was subsequently charged with battery against a police officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Separately in January, Kerley was also charged with domestic violence by strangulation following an incident in May 2024.


France 24
2 days ago
- France 24
Second Guardians pitcher on leave under MLB gambling probe
Clase becomes the second Guardians player placed on paid leave as part of the sports betting probe, with starting pitcher Luis Ortiz going on the list July 3 and having his leave extended 10 days ago to August 31. "Per an agreement with the MLBPA (players union), Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through games on August 31 while MLB continues its sports betting investigation," an MLB statement said. "We will not comment further until the investigation has been completed." Clase, a 27-year-old Dominican right-hander in his fifth season with the Guardians. The three-time American League All-Star has led the league in saves in each of the past three campaigns and this year has 24 saves and a 5-3 record with a 3.23 earned-run average and 47 strikeouts over 47 1/3 innings over 48 appearances. Ortiz, a 26-year-old Dominican right-hander obtained in a trade with Pittsburgh last December, is 4-9 this season with a 4.36 earned-run average with 96 strikeouts in 16 appearances this season. Both Ortiz and Clase are allowed contact with the organization while on leave, but they are not permitted at team facilities. The Guardians said no other players or team personnel are expected to be impacted by the investigation. "We have been informed that no additional players or club personnel are expected to be impacted," the team said in a statement. "The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time and will respect the league's confidential investigative process as we continue to fully cooperate." A firm that monitors wagers for a strange betting patterns flagged Ortiz pitches on June 15 against Seattle and June 27 against St. Louis, according to multiple reports, but it was not clear why Clase was under scrutiny.


France 24
3 days ago
- France 24
'Draw that feels like a win': India hails great Test escape
India, 2-1 down in the five-match series and a daunting 311 runs behind on first innings, batted out Sunday's final day to take it to a decider at the Oval, starting Thursday. Captain Shubman Gill struck his fourth century of the series before unbeaten hundreds from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar denied England victory. KL Rahul also scored 90. It was a remarkable fightback after India had lost their first two second-innings wickets without a run on the board on Saturday. "When it comes to India-England, Old Trafford is known for keeping the series alive," India great Sachin Tendulkar posted on X. It was a "fantastic comeback" said Tendulkar who added that Rahul, Gill, Jadeja and Sundar had shown "great character and fighting spirit". The Times of India headlined with "The draw that feels like a win", while said it had been a "great escape". Gill had come into his first series as captain with question marks over his overseas batting record. But he has laid all doubts to rest with a record-breaking run, joining Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar as the only Test captains to score four centuries in a series. His 722 runs are the most scored by an Indian batsman in a series against England, surpassing team-mate Yashasvi Jaiswal's 712 in 2023/24. "Nobody ever doubted Shubman Gill's talent," said head coach Gautam Gambhir . "Those who did, they just know to talk cricket but lack understanding of the game. Some people take time to blossom in international cricket. And no one in the dressing room is surprised by what he has done." Uncapped wicketkeeper Narayan Jagadeesan was on Monday called into the India squad as cover, after Rishabh Pant was ruled out with a fractured foot. Dhruv Jurel is expected to take the gloves in the fifth Test.