With a fight that was ruled a majority draw on Saturday, Miguel Barrios fought off a battling Manny Pacquiao to retain his WBC world welterweight title.
Barrio, 30, held onto his belt despite being dominated by Filipino icon Pacquiao, 46, for several rounds before making his first appearance in the ring after a four-year break.
One judge gave Barrios the fight 115-113, and the other two cards, 114-114, gave him the victory.
The MGM Grand Garden Arena crowd, who had roared on Pacquiao as he attempted to make a spectacular return to boxing, drew a subdued response from the outcome.
As he used all of his guile and experience to deceive Barrios, it seemed like Pacquiao was about to start a new chapter in his 30-year professional career.
However, Barrios rallied fiercely over the final three rounds, being declared the winner of each of those three cards, to do just enough to keep his title.
Pacquiao later said, “I thought I won the fight. It was a close fight, I mean. My adversary was very tough. But the fight was fantastic.
I was trying to finish the fight, but my opponent was so tough. It was difficult because he used defense and combined punches. ”
In the meantime, Barrio argued that the draw was sufficient for him.
Barrios remarked, “I thought I pulled it out.” But Manny is still in my top hat. He had a lot of experience and accomplishments in this sport, so it was a pleasure to share the ring with him. Nothing but love and respect was left in the ring, leaving us with nothing. ”
Barros acknowledged how incredible Pacquiao’s extraordinary reserves of energy and endurance were.
His strength, strength, and endurance are beyond reproach. His rhythm, timing, and everything else. He fought a lot to figure out, but he was still a very awkward fighter. ”
