The highly anticipated clash between Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios ended in a controversial majority draw on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. With the WBC World Welterweight Championship on the line, the fight promised fireworks, but the judges’ decision left many questioning the outcome. Was it a robbery? This article provides a detailed round-by-round breakdown, analyzing key moments and punch stats to determine who truly deserved the victory in Pacquiao vs Barrios.
Before diving into the blow-by-blow action, let’s take a quick look at the fighters who stepped into the ring that night.
Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao: At 46 years old, the legendary Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2) defied age, bringing his signature relentless pressure and blistering speed to the welterweight division. Standing at 5′ 5″ with a 66.9″ reach and fighting out of the southpaw stance, Pacquiao has captured multiple world titles across eight different weight classes, solidifying his place as one of boxing’s all-time greats.
Mario “El Azteca” Barrios: The younger and bigger man, 30-year-old Mario Barrios (29-2-1) entered the fight as the defending WBC World Welterweight Champion. With a height of 5′ 10″ and a reach of 70.9″, Barrios utilized his orthodox stance and physical advantages to try and keep the Pac-Man at bay.
Here’s a detailed look at how the fight unfolded, round by round, complete with crucial punch stats:
Barrios used his reach advantage effectively in the first round, keeping Pacquiao at bay with his jab. Pacquiao struggled to close the distance early on.
Barrios continued to utilize his jab and maintain distance, frustrating Pacquiao’s attempts to get inside. Pacquiao landed a few power punches but was largely ineffective.
Pacquiao started to find his rhythm, closing the distance more effectively and landing some solid combinations. Barrios, however, still managed to land counter punches.
Both fighters exchanged heavy blows in a closely contested round. Barrios landed some clean jabs, while Pacquiao connected with powerful hooks.
Pacquiao continued to press the action, and Barrios seemed to be slowing down. Pacquiao landed more power punches in this round, turning the tide.
Pacquiao controlled the round with his relentless pressure and combinations. Barrios struggled to keep Pacquiao at bay, showing signs of fatigue.
Through six rounds, Pacquiao had begun to find his range, while Barrios needed to re-establish his jab and control the distance. Pacquiao’s low jab accuracy needed improvement. The stats show a close fight, with Barrios landing slightly more punches overall in the early rounds, but Pacquiao starting to impose his will and dictate the pace.
Barrios found a second wind, landing some solid shots and keeping Pacquiao at a distance again. Pacquiao’s output decreased slightly, allowing Barrios to regain some composure.
Another close round with both fighters landing punches. Pacquiao’s aggression and slightly higher output likely gave him the edge, though Barrios remained competitive.
Pacquiao continued to walk Barrios down, landing some good body shots. Barrios looked tired and was struggling to keep up with Pacquiao’s pace, absorbing considerable punishment.
Barrios showed resilience, weathering Pacquiao’s attacks and landing counter shots. Pacquiao threw a high volume of punches, but his accuracy dipped slightly.
Pacquiao unloaded a barrage of punches in the eleventh, appearing to hurt Barrios and seize control. This was arguably Pacquiao’s best round, showcasing his trademark aggression.
Both fighters gave it their all in the final round, but neither was able to secure a knockout. The round was closely contested and difficult to score, leaving the decision in the judges’ hands.
Here’s a look at the overall punch stats for the fight, revealing key insights into each fighter’s performance:
A summary of the key stats:
Statistic | Manny Pacquiao | Mario Barrios |
---|---|---|
Total Landed/Thrown | 101/637 | 110/618 |
Jab Accuracy | 5.6% | 12.8% |
Power Punch Accuracy | 30.2% | 25.8% |
The judges scored the fight 114-114, 115-113, and 114-114, resulting in a majority draw. Many observers felt that Pacquiao’s aggression and higher volume of punches in the later rounds should have earned him the victory. At the same time, others argued that Barrios’s early control, effective jab, and slight edge in overall punches landed justified the draw. The Pacquiao Barrios result sparked immediate debate within the boxing world, with some even labeling it a boxing robbery, highlighting the controversial decision.
In his post-fight interview, Pacquiao stated that he “believed” he had won the bout, while Barrios expressed satisfaction with his performance and felt he had done enough to retain his title. Their reactions reflect the close and competitive nature of the fight, leaving room for interpretation and fueling the controversy surrounding the decision.
The undercard featured exciting fights, including Sebastian Fundora’s victory over Tim Tszyu, Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz’s win against Omar Salcido Gamez, and Brandon Figueroa’s defeat of Joet Gonzalez. These fights provided additional entertainment and showcased the depth of talent in the boxing world.
The Pacquiao vs. Barrios fight will be remembered for its controversial ending. While the punch stats suggest a close fight, the majority draw leaves a sense of unfinished business. Whether a rematch is in store remains to be seen, but both fighters proved they still have a lot to offer the welterweight division. Boxing results can be unpredictable, and this fight was no exception. Fans are already speculating about Manny Pacquiao next fight and Mario Barrios next fight, eager to see what the future holds for these two warriors after this divisive encounter. The debate surrounding Pacquiao Barrios continues, underscoring the subjective nature of boxing scoring and the enduring appeal of these two fighters.
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