A highly anticipated boxing event unfolded at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, featuring a mix of thrilling bouts and notable returns. The main event saw Manny Pacquiao making his comeback at the age of 46. Despite the excitement surrounding his return, he fought to a majority draw against Mario Barrios, the reigning WBC welterweight champion. The judges scored the match 115-113 for Barrios and 114-114 on two cards, with all three judges awarding the final round to Barrios.
Pacquiao’s record now stands at 62 wins, 8 losses, and 3 draws, with 39 knockouts. After nearly four years away from the ring, he appeared to be working off ring rust early in the fight. In the initial rounds, flashes of the old “PacMan” were evident, but he struggled to find his footing. Barrios, with a record of 29 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, effectively utilized his jab and maintained distance, allowing him to control the pace of the fight.
As the match progressed, Pacquiao began to find his rhythm, showcasing his agility and landing effective straight left punches. For a moment, it seemed he might dominate the bout. However, Barrios increased his aggression in the later rounds, landing powerful straight rights and applying pressure that visibly affected the veteran fighter. Rounds 10 to 12 swung decisively in Barrios’ favor, contributing to the majority draw outcome. This result complicates Barrios’ position, having defended his title twice with both bouts ending in draws.
Following the fight, Pacquiao expressed his desire to continue competing in the ring, indicating that this return is not a one-off appearance. With the welterweight division’s champions preoccupied, a rematch between Pacquiao and Barrios seems likely.
Fundora Stops Tszyu in Co-Main Event
In the co-main event, Sebastian Fundora faced off against Tim Tszyu for a rematch, emerging victorious by corner stoppage after the seventh round. Fundora, who holds the WBC junior middleweight title, now leads their rivalry 2-0.
From the outset, Fundora (23 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw, 15 KOs) took an aggressive stance, using his reach to establish control with his jab. Tszyu (25 wins, 3 losses, 18 KOs) aimed to land power shots but failed to set them up effectively, which cost him crucial points in the early rounds. Fundora knocked Tszyu down with a straight left, and his relentless combination of inside fighting and counterpunching created significant challenges for the Australian challenger.
Despite Tszyu’s resilience, trading blows with Fundora, the champion’s strikes appeared more damaging. Following the seventh round, Tszyu’s team opted to stop the fight, citing concerns over their fighter’s responsiveness. This victory positions Fundora for potential high-profile matchups within the 154-pound division.
Other Notable Fights on the Card
The undercard featured several other compelling bouts. Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz showcased his aggressive style against late replacement Omar Salcido, winning by unanimous decision with scores of 100-88 and 99-89 on two cards. Cruz (28 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw, 18 KOs) maintained relentless pressure, landing significant punches throughout the match.
In another highlight, Gary Russell Jr. marked his return after a three-and-a-half-year hiatus, stopping Hugo Castaneda in the tenth round. Russell, known for his exceptional hand speed, demonstrated he had not lost his touch with a decisive body shot that led to the knockout.
The event concluded with Brandon Figueroa narrowly defeating Joet Gonzalez by unanimous decision, with scores reading 116-112 and 115-113. Additionally, David Picasso maintained his undefeated status with a majority decision win over Kyonosuke Kameda, setting the stage for potential future title shots.
Overall, the night was filled with action and significant implications for the fighters involved. As Pacquiao considers his next steps, the boxing world eagerly awaits the outcomes of future matchups in the welterweight and junior middleweight divisions.
