Manny Pacquiao just made a comeback that made the whole boxing world take their hats off. |
At the age of 46, when most of his contemporaries have hung up their gloves, “Pac-Man” continues to step into the ring to challenge himself. A draw against champion Mario Barrios could not help him regain his world title, but Pacquiao’s impressive performance said it all: the Filipino boxer is still a symbol of courage, bravery and endless inspiration for the boxing world.
Battle of Will and Experience
Pacquiao's opponent, Mario Barrios, is 16 years younger than him, with youthful energy and superior height. However, the Mexican boxer did not show the spirit of a defending champion.
On the contrary, Pacquiao, with his agility and clever movement, dominated many moments of the fight. In the first 8 rounds, Pacquiao often approached, throwing his signature roundhouse punches, forcing Barrios to retreat and defend more than attack.
If not for the three judges' scores - 115-113 for Barrios and two 114-114 scores - the crowd might have accepted a victory for the Filipino legend. But for Pacquiao, this fight was not just about the belt, but about proving that at 46, he can still put on a show at a high level.
At 46, Pacquiao shows that his time is not over. |
Pacquiao has made history with an unprecedented achievement: winning championship belts in 8 different weight classes. He has defeated big names such as Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Márquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto... Each of Pacquiao's victories is not just a result, but also a match full of emotion and dedication.
Despite losing to Mayweather in the “billion-dollar” fight in 2015, Pacquiao is still considered to be more dedicated to the audience. He is not the type of fighter who fights to win by calculation. On the contrary, Pacquiao always attacks and seeks drama - which makes him loved worldwide. If Mayweather is a symbol of tactics and defense, then Pacquiao is a symbol of heart and commitment.
Compare with the legends
Put Pacquiao next to names like Oscar De La Hoya or Sugar Ray Leonard, he may not be the most technical, but he is the most durable. His comeback at the age of 46, not afraid to face a young and strong boxer, has affirmed Pacquiao's difference.
For example, De La Hoya retired at 36, while Mayweather stopped at 40 with a calculated exhibition match. Pacquiao is different. He still chooses real opponents, still fights with the same passion. This makes the match with Barrios not just a fight, but also an affirmation of the Viking spirit of the only Asian considered a boxing legend of his generation.
Pacquiao has not hung up his gloves yet. |
After the draw, Pacquiao said: “I fought with experience, tactics, and still kept my aggressive style because that is my style. I want to fight again. My mission is to inspire the Filipino people.”
Those words were not only a message for the fans at home, but also for the entire boxing world: legends are not about titles, but about attitude and perseverance.
Should Pacquiao continue? For many, this fight was a fitting end to a legendary career. But Pacquiao still wants to lift the belt once more. A rematch with Barrios would be the perfect farewell, where he could end his career in his own style: fierce, courageous and inspiring.
At 46, Pacquiao has nothing more to prove. But his fight at the MGM Grand showed that sometimes, legends are the ones who keep fighting — even when things get out of hand.
Source: https://znews.vn/pacquiao-huyen-thoai-khong-tuoi-va-di-san-vuot-thoi-gian-post1570305.html
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