LAS VEGAS – The crowd was in favor of the comebacking Manny Pacquiao, but the numbers said otherwise.
Based on the CompuBox Punch Stats of the Pacquiao-Mario Barrios World Boxing Council welterweight title match, the reigning champion did just enough to retain his crown via majority draw Sunday (Manila time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
READ: Pacquiao denied history as Barrios bout ends in majority draw
The 30-year-old Barrios, 16 years younger than the challenger, threw 658 punches and landed 120 for 18.2 percent, while Pacquiao was less accurate at 17.5 percent after landing just 101 of his 577 total.
In terms of power punches, the 46-year-old Filipino boxing legend was just slightly ahead at 31.3 percent (81-of-259), compared to Barrios’ 31.3 percent (75-of-235).
The jabs proved to be the difference, as Barrios went through his boxing staple to hammer 45-of-423 thrown for 10.6 percent.
The brunt of those left and right jabs were obvious on Pacquiao's battered face after the fight.
For his part, Pacquiao, who gives up a 10-centimeter difference in terms of reach to the 6-foot champion, only connected on 20 of the 318 he threw for 6.3 percent.
“I thought we were controlling the fight with his jabs,” stressed Barrios’ trainer Bob Santos during the post-fight presser.
But make no mistake, it wasn't easy to go so, according to the champion.
"Even though I'm finding my jabs here and there, it was hard to follow up on bunches," said Barrios, adding it was very tricky to try and find Pacquiao during their exchanges.
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