Barrios fight ‘mission accomplished’ for Manny Pacquiao despite draw, says analyst

Though the fight between Manny Pacquiao and WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios ended in a majority draw, it’s still mission accomplished for the Filipino boxing legend, according to veteran boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino.

Pacquiao, 46, showed flashes of his younger self against Barrios, showcasing his trademark speed and combinations. Despite his efforts, however, Barrios retained the belt when two of the judges scored the fight 114-114 after twelve rounds of action. The third judge had it 115-113 for Barrios.

"I had it 115-113 on my scorecard. Manny Pacquiao should have won this fight. That is what I think, and so do many experts and fans. I thought Barrios respected too much and was hesitant because he was getting hit," Tolentino said in an episode of Sparring Sessions LIVE.

"Pacquiao was impressive for a 46-year-old. For a 46-year-old to go twelve hard rounds with a fighter who is only 30 years old, to me, it is already mission accomplished. It hurts to think that he did not get the decision. I do not understand what the judges saw or it did not see in this fight."

Tolentino added that the fight was close and, in reality, could have gone either way. Yet for Tolentino, if someone deserved the nod, it had to be Pacquiao for pressing the action throughout the contest.

"It was Manny Pacquiao who really wanted to win the fight not Mario Barrios. I thought even though Pacquiao was handicapped at 46 and 4 years of inactivity, he was there to compete and ready to bring the fight to Mario Barrios," Tolentino stated.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News