Last Saturday, Manny Pacquiao surprised the boxing world by taking on Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
At 46 years old, Pacquiao managed to stay competitive against the 30-year-old welterweight champion, and the fight ended in a majority draw. Two judges scored it 114-114, while the third gave a slight edge to Barrios with 115-113.
Why is the result of Pacquiao vs. Barrios controversial?
Many analysts and fans believe that Pacquiao deserved the victory. His performance was solid, showing speed, combinations and experience. However, the judges’ decision has been questioned, and some have called it a “robbery”. Statistics showed that Barrios was busier with the jab, but Pacquiao slightly outscored him in power punches.
Timothy Bradley defends Manny Pacquiao
Former world champion Timothy Bradley, who faced Pacquiao three times, surprised the public by defending the draw. On his YouTube channel, Bradley claimed and described the fight as a sparring session:
It wasn’t even a fight.
In turn, he criticized Barrios for showing too much respect to Pacquiao and not taking the opportunity to impose himself
You were supposed to put this legend in your history
What did Bradley say about Pacquiao?
Although he expressed joy at seeing Pacquiao back in the ring, Bradley was also critical of his performance
He doesn’t belong in the ring, his combinations no longer have the same precision or power as before.
Despite this, Bradley did not question the judges’ verdict:
The fight was a draw. Neither deserved to win
What does a majority draw mean in boxing?
A majority draw occurs when two judges see the fight evenly matched and the third gives a slight advantage to one of the boxers. In this case, Barrios retained his WBC welterweight title, while Pacquiao avoided defeat on his return. Although there was no official winner, the result left many feeling that the Filipino had done enough to triumph.
What’s next for Manny Pacquiao after his fight with Mario Barrios?
Despite the criticism, Pacquiao seems determined to continue his career. There is already speculation about his next opponent, with names such as Rolando Romero emerging as possible options. The legendary “Pacman” still has followers who believe in his ability to compete at the highest level, even at 46 years of age.
The fight between Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios has generated intense debate in the boxing world. While some see the draw as fair, others believe that Pacquiao was the victim of a bad decision. With figures such as Timothy Bradley defending the result, the controversy continues. What is certain is that Pacquiao remains a relevant figure and his future in the ring is still of interest.
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