Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao made a stunning return to the ring at the age of 46, challenging Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship in a high-stakes bout that ended in a majority draw—a decision that has stirred widespread debate across the boxing world.

Held at a packed T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the match marked Pacquiao’s return to professional boxing after years of semi-retirement. Despite the time away and his age, Pacquiao delivered a vintage performance filled with speed, footwork, and relentless pressure—reminiscent of his championship prime.

The official scorecards read 114-114, 115-113 for Pacquiao, and 114-114, resulting in a draw. Barrios retained his title, but the verdict drew boos from the crowd and sparked an outpouring of commentary from fans, pundits, and former fighters, many of whom believed the Filipino icon had done more than enough to earn the win.

“That was a Pacquiao fight through and through. His energy was unreal. He pushed the pace, landed the cleaner shots. That should have been his belt tonight,” said one ringside commentator.

Barrios, 29, a rising American star and current titleholder, displayed solid defense and counterpunching throughout the contest. But it was Pacquiao’s work rate and control of the ring that many felt stood out. The fight swung back and forth, with both fighters having moments of dominance, but Pacquiao’s bursts of flurries and aggression seemed to sway public opinion in his favor.

In the post-fight interview, Pacquiao remained gracious yet determined:

“I respect the judges, but I felt I won. I trained hard for this and I gave everything. I’m still here. Age is just a number.”

The result has reignited debate over boxing’s scoring system and whether established fighters, even legends, face an uphill battle against younger champions in the eyes of officials. It has also raised questions about what lies ahead for Pacquiao.

While no official retirement announcement was made, Pacquiao hinted at the possibility of another fight:

“As long as I can fight at this level, I’ll keep going. Let’s see what’s next.”

Whether he fights again or not, Pacquiao’s performance on Saturday night served as a powerful reminder of his enduring greatness—an eight-division world champion who, even in his late 40s, continues to inspire awe and admiration inside the squared circle.

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