MMA Fighting has Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios live round-by-round updates for one of the most anticipated boxing fights of the year at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on Saturday afternoon.
The main event is expected to begin around 11 p.m. ET on Amazon and PPV.com. Check out our Pacquiao vs. Barrios results page to find out what happened on the undercard.
Manny Pacquiao, who is 46 years old, competes for the first time since Aug. 26, 2021, when he came up short against Yordenis Ugas via unanimous decision.
Mario Barrios (29-2-1), the current WBC welterweight champion, competes for the first time this year. In his last outing, Barrios earned a draw against Abel Ramos this past November.
Check out the Pacquiao vs. Barrios live blog below.
Walkout: I am fully prepared to be disappointed. Mario Barrios is being announced first. Traditionally the champion comes out last but the reputation of Pacquiao precedes him. Barrios gets a super sick Aztec warrior drumline walkout. Boxing walkouts are so fun unless they tip-toe to the ring as Barrios is doing now.
Barrios is finally in the ring. Time for royalty. The crowd pops even before Lennon can announce who he’s announcing. Never forget the superstar that Manny Pacquiao is. He’s out in his black robes and throwback red gloves. The crowd is absolutely electric. “MANNY! MANNY! MANNY!” goes the crowd as “Eye of the Tiger” plays.
Prefight: Lennon is now announcing the fighters. “It’s primetime!” Barrios gets his respect and Pacquiao is being announced to the crowd first. He gets announced as the “distinguished former senator.” Pac-man is getting all of his roses. The crowd is electric for the living legend.
As Barrios is announced, the crowd nearly goes silent. There’s some support for Barrios there but we all know who is the A-side here. It seems like disrespect when they only announce that Barrios has titles in only two weights.
Alright, let’s see how this goes…
Round 1: Pacquiao is officially back in the ring after a four year layoff. Barrios is giving Pacquiao his respect and is trying to feel him out. Pacquiao, with his high socks, is leading with a jab-heavy attack followed by his left cross. Pacquiao doesn’t look too slow. But it’s only the first round. He slips a couple jabs from Barrios. Huge lefts to the body from Pacquiao. Pacquiao’s left looks crisp. Pacquiao is now moving his head. Barrios looks…befuddled.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Pacquiao (10-9 Pacquiao)
Round 2: Barrios comes out and takes the center of the ring and lands a good double jab on Pacquiao. Pacquiao looking much slower now. Barrios gets tripped up chasing Pacquiao. Ref calls it a slippage as Mario Barrios hits the canvas. Barrios is speeding things up this round. Pacquiao is moving around the ring well pivoting and such. Pacquiao is darting out to the side and Barrios is chasing a bit. Pacquiao is finding all the angles again at the end of the round. His right hand is actually doing the heavy lifting this round. Closer than the first but still Pacquiao’s.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Pacquiao (20-18 Pacquiao)
Round 3: Barrios is giving Pacquiao a lot of respect. Any time Pacquiao pretends he want’s to step in, Barrios concedes ground. Low blow from Barrios and Pacquiao tells him to get it up. Barios is picking up on the pivot better and starts to land. Two good body shots from Barrios and Pacquiao complains they’re low. Ref says no go, keep fighting. You can tell it’s still Manny Pacquiao in the ring. he’s all over the ring, darting out the side, landing in the pocket. I just concern he’s going to fade. Barrios is opening up at the end of the round as does Pacquiao.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Pacquiao (30-27 Pacquiao)
Round 4: Pacquiao has slowed down considerably. Barrios is pushing the pace now. He’s leading with the jab and coming behind with the right hand. Pacquiao is still crafty. Barrios can still win this. But he’s still struggling to land. Barrios finds a home for his right hand. Pacquiao is complaining to the referee again about a low blow.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Pacquiao (40-36 Pacquiao)
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