July 20, (THEWILL) — Mario Barrios successfully defended his WBC welterweight championship on Saturday night, though not without controversy, after his bout with Manny Pacquiao ended in a majority draw.
The 30-year-old American fighter kept hold of his world title despite being outworked by the legendary Filipino boxer across several rounds of their highly anticipated contest.
One judge scored the fight 115-113 in favour of Barrios, whilst the remaining two officials returned identical scorecards of 114-114, allowing the champion to retain his belt under boxing’s standard rules.
The veteran Pacquiao, competing at 46 years of age, demonstrated that his boxing skills remain sharp despite his advancing years and lengthy absence from the sport’s elite level.
The former eight-division world champion controlled significant portions of the fight with his trademark combination punching and lateral movement, forcing Barrios to work harder than expected to justify his championship status.
However, the younger fighter’s size advantage and consistent pressure proved enough to convince one judge of his superiority over the 12-round distance.
This result continues Barrios’s reign as WBC welterweight champion, though questions will inevitably arise about the scoring given Pacquiao’s dominant spells during the contest.
The draw is a frustrating outcome for the Filipino icon, who appeared to have done enough to claim victory in what many observers viewed as a clear-cut performance. Boxing fans and media members ringside expressed surprise at the official verdict, particularly given Pacquiao’s apparent control of the fight’s tempo and exchanges.
The majority draw adds another chapter to Pacquiao’s storied career, though it remains unclear whether the result will motivate him to continue competing or encourage retirement from professional boxing.
For Barrios, the retention of his world title maintains his position among the welterweight division’s elite fighters, despite the unconvincing nature of his performance against an opponent many considered past his prime.
The American will likely face pressure to prove his championship credentials more definitively in future title defences.
The controversial scoring decision has reignited familiar debates about judging standards in professional boxing, particularly in high-profile championship contests involving established legends.
Fans and analysts will continue to dissect the fight’s key moments, though Barrios’s championship status remains intact regardless of public opinion about Saturday night’s verdict.
The welterweight division now awaits clarity on both fighters’ future plans following this contentious conclusion to their eagerly awaited encounter.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
