LAS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao seemed each inch a winner the morning after a powerful efficiency and a controversial draw in opposition to Mario Barrios of Mexico final Saturday on the MGM Grand.
Pacquiao aired disappointment over the judges’ choice calling the WBC welterweight title bout a majority draw when the world witnessed a 46-year-old legend defying Father Time.
Specialists have been fairly unanimous in saying that Pacquiao, who got here out of a four-year retirement to problem a 30-year-old boxer who’s at his prime, did sufficient to make boxing historical past.
Pacquiao has taken issues in stride.
“I do know lots of people are disillusioned. It’s okay. It’s a part of the sport. No less than hindi kagaya ‘nung dati na natalo tayo,” he instructed a packed convention room on the MGM Grand, the house {of professional} boxing.
Pacquiao was referring to his earlier combat in 2021 when he misplaced to Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas and confronted requires him to lastly retire from boxing.
Pacquiao, together with his household seated in entrance, presided over Bible research attended by no less than 200 individuals. When the service was over, he gave all people an opportunity to get close to him.
It took over an hour for him to accommodate the followers who lined up for one selfie every and one merchandise every for him to signal – from boxing gloves, shirts, luggage, footage and even a Philippine flag.
“Am I allowed to signal this?” Pacquiao politely requested.
Pacquiao carried tiny bruises and an enormous smile all day. He was bubbly and bounced on his toes. On the secluded VIP hallway heading to the automotive park, he walked at a excessive tempo and began to jog. His bodyguards have been compelled to maintain up.
He shadow-boxed for a couple of seconds, like he was able to combat. Inside his suite, within the hours after the combat, he did the identical, getting up from his seat throughout late dinner and throwing three lightning-quick punches within the air.
A recognized Pacquiao ally, former Bacolod Metropolis mayor and congressman Monico Puentevella, joined him for the late dinner. He mentioned Pacquiao loved consuming pancit sotanghon.
“Masaya siya. And he needs to combat once more. I mentioned, Bakit pa? Hindi mo na kailangan,” narrated Puentevella. “Then he went up his room. Tumakbo paakyat sa hagdanan. Ganado.”
“I’m comfortable due to my efficiency,” mentioned the boxer who simply defied age and proved that he stays within the elite circle, holding his floor in opposition to a boxer 16 years youthful and 4 or 5 inches taller.
Pacquiao left Vegas Sunday afternoon for Los Angeles, and can keep there for a while earlier than flying again house.
“The plan is for him to return house within the first week of August. His son Jimuel is getting married subsequent week. He needs to get pleasure from time together with his household,” mentioned a Pacquiao aide.
