WBC backs Pacquiao: “Draw felt like a clear victory”
Mauricio Sulaimán, president of the World Boxing Council, says he would support a tiebreaker between Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios.
Manny Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs), a living legend of the ring, laced up the gloves once again at age 46 to challenge Mario Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs) for the WBC welterweight title. With more than two decades separating them in age, the bout was as much about legacy as it was about belts. The result? A majority draw that left fans and pundits alike with mixed emotions.
After four years away from the sport, Pacquiao didn’t return for an exhibition or a farewell tune-up. He came back for a world title - and he came back swinging. The judges scored the fight 114-114, 113-115, and 114-114, a result that many felt didn’t reflect the Filipino icon’s performance. For many, Pacquiao looked like the rightful winner. The old magic was still there.
Pacquiao “earned the world’s respect”
WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán agreed. Speaking after the fight, he said he would support a rematch if Pacquiao chooses to continue. “Absolutely. No doubt about it,” Sulaimán said. “If Manny Pacquiao retires now, he goes out on top, through the front door. That draw felt like a clear victory.”
The WBC had faced criticism for sanctioning Pacquiao’s return, given his age and long layoff. But Sulaimán defended the decision, praising the atmosphere and the fighter’s performance. “It was a beautiful week,” he said. “The energy in the arena was unforgettable. Manny earned the world’s respect and proved what some of us already believed going into the fight.”
Pacquiao defied expectations with his speed, footwork, and ring IQ - qualities many doubted he still possessed. “I admire Manny Pacquiao a lot,” Sulaimán explained. “He handled the draw with grace. It was a very close fight, but one he deserved to win. He looked phenomenal in the ring. Barrios couldn’t figure him out and was outboxed, even if it was tight."
‘PacMan’ silenced the doubters, WBC chiefs says
As for what’s next, Pacquiao hasn’t made a decision. He hasn’t ruled out a rematch, but he hasn’t committed to one either.
“Manny doesn’t know what he wants to do yet,” Sulaimán said. “He said maybe a rematch. It was a tough process. Now that it’s over, everyone has something to say - but before the fight, he was questioned, criticized, even mocked by the media, by fans, by promoters. He proved them all wrong. At 46, he showed the world he can still do incredible things.”
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