URGENT UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Manny Pacquiao faced Mario Barrios in Las Vegas on July 15, 2023, but the legendary boxer fell just short as the fight ended in a majority draw. Two judges scored the bout even, while one judge awarded Barrios a 115-113 victory, allowing him to retain the WBC welterweight championship.
This match marked Pacquiao’s attempt to silence critics and defy age as he aimed to become the oldest welterweight champion in history at 46 years old, surpassing his own record set in 2019. Pacquiao, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame just last month, pushed hard against Barrios but could not secure the win in his first appearance in the ring in nearly four years.
Barrios, a rising star from San Antonio, entered the match as a favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook, boasting a -275 line. Despite not delivering a decisive victory, he improved his record to 29-2-2 amid a heavily pro-Pacquiao crowd that loudly expressed their discontent with the judges’ decision.
“I thought I did enough to win,” Pacquiao stated post-fight, hinting that this might not be the end of his storied career. The Filipino icon now holds a record of 62-9-2, with fans eagerly awaiting his next move.
In the co-main event, Sebastian Fundora successfully retained his WBC super welterweight title when opponent Tim Tszyu failed to come out for the eighth round. Fundora dominated the fight, having floored Tszyu in the first round and landing a staggering 118 power punches, according to Compubox. Fundora, who is now 23-1-1 with 15 KOs, acknowledged his strategy:
“I’m the bigger guy. Everyone says I’m a bully in the ring, so I thought I should start really bullying these guys.”
This was a significant week for Fundora, who not only triumphed in the ring but also received acceptance into Harvard University. The rematch with Tszyu provided a stark contrast to their first bout in March 2024, which ended in a much closer split-decision victory for Fundora.
As the boxing world reacts to these results, fans and analysts alike are left wondering what’s next for Pacquiao and if he will continue to chase records or step back for good. The excitement of these high-stakes bouts has energized the sport, and all eyes will be on future matchups that could shape the landscape of boxing.