LAS VEGAS – A fight that ended with a cloud of doubt certainly deserves a repeat.
Moments after their welterweight fight for the World Boxing Council championship ended in a majority draw, both champion Mario Barrios and challenger Manny Pacquiao agreed to a possible rematch given the nature by which their 12-round bout concluded Sunday (Philippine time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena here.
READ: Pacquiao denied history as Barrios bout ends in majority draw
“I’ll do the rematch. Absolutely,” said Barrios after absorbing the second draw of his career.
Pacquiao, who thought he won the match, was likewise amenable to have another dance in the ring with the 6-foot, 30-year-old champion.
“Of course, I’d like a rematch. I want to leave a legacy and make the Filipino people proud,” added boxing’s only eight-time world division title.
Barrios retained his title after two of the judges scored the bout at 114-114, while the other one saw the champion winning by scores of 115-113.
READ: Punch stats show Barrios ever so slightly ahead of Pacquiao
The result was met by resounding jeers by majority of the 13,107 crowd in attendance, most of them chanting "Manny! Manny! Manny!" during the course of the title fight.
Bob Santos, the trainer of Barrios, believes his fighter was the better one on this night against an acknowledged legend, but is willing to face Pacquiao again if circumstances call for it.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to do a rematch and I think everybody loves to see Pacquiao again,” the former Trainer of the Year said.
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