It wasn’t the result he’s expecting, but 46-year old Manny Pacquiao believed he won the fight against much younger foe Mario Barrios.
The MGM judges, however, saw otherwise, as one of them scored 115-113, while the other two scored 114-114 both, making Barrios retain his WBC welterweight title via majority draw.
“I think I won the fight, I mean it was close”, the eight-division legend said in an interview in the ring after the 12-rounder decision.
The Compubox could have agreed with Pacquiao, as he edged the 6-foot-0 Barrios with 81 – 75 power punches connected to the body.
“I’m trying to find a way to finish the fight, but my opponent is so tough. He’s not careless. He threw punches and combinations and defense”, Pacquiao added, who came out of retirement after four years of hiatus.
The champion Barrios able to keep Pacquiao at bay with his reach advantage and limited the latter inside attack with his barrage of jabs, throwing a total of 423 and connecting 45.
Barrios also dominated the fight 120-101 in terms of total punches as per the Compubox.
“My corner felt I have to pick it up. I felt I had the edge out of five, six rounds”, the American boxer said during the presser.
When asked how he felt about some people believing the result could have gone the other way, the Wisconsin-native laughed.
“I feel like I won the fight and feel like, you know, the last three rounds really, really, solidified that”, Barrios said, who’s record now stands at 29 wins, 2 losses and 2 draws.
Pacquiao eyes Mayweather next
Meanwhile, Pacquiao was also asked in the post fight press conference if he felt that this version of him will beat the undefeated Floyd Mayweather today.
“You know, it’s hard to talk about a fighter who [is] retired. If he comes back, then, sign the contract and we’ll fight. I mean, let’s fight again, if he wants.”
Both fighters met in the ring in 2015, as Mayweather ran away with the win via unanimous decision.
The former Senator confirmed that he is back in business and doesn’t care who will be facing next.
“I am active now. I don’t pick opponents. I fight them all”.
Barrios acknowledged Pacquiao’s attempt to defy Father time, seeing the much-experienced opponent’s stamina as ‘crazy’.
