Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao expressed his desire for a rematch with Mario Barrios following their WBC welterweight championship bout, which concluded in a draw last night.

Returning to the ring after nearly four years, Pacquiao faced the 30-year-old Mexican-American boxer, and the judges ultimately decided there was no winner. Two judges scored the match at 114-114, while the third favored Barrios with a score of 115-113.

At 46 years old, Pacquiao holds the record for being the only boxer to have clinched world titles across eight different weight classes, having been a world champion on 12 occasions.

“I believe I won. It was a close and challenging fight, truly an amazing contest,” stated Pacquiao, as reported by the BBC.

When asked if he was seeking a rematch, Pacquiao replied, “Absolutely.”

He made history in 2019 as the oldest boxer to win the welterweight title at the age of 40 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame this June.

Pacquiao, who lost his bid for a senatorial seat in the Philippines in May, was granted the chance to compete for the title due to the WBC’s policy allowing former champions to return from retirement.

He dedicated two months to training ahead of the fight.

“His stamina is incredible. He’s still impressively strong, and his timing is spot-on. He’s tricky, making it hard to find a counter strategy,” Barrios commented.

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