FILIPINO boxing icon Manny Pacquiao delivered an outstanding performance in his comeback fight against Mexican American champ Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday.
Despite four years away and fighting at 46 already, Pacquiao flashed that vintage speed and power that made him the world’s only eight-division champ.
Still, it wasn’t enough as judges believed that Barrios did just enough, especially in the last three rounds to retain his World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight belt via a majority decision draw.
But was Pacquiao’s performance enough to lure Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. out of retirement for a rematch with Pacman?
“It’s hard to talk about a fighter who’s retired already,” said Pacquiao in the post-fight presser, talking about Mayweather.
Pacquiao, who updated his win-loss-draw record to 62-8-3 (39 KOs), battled Mayweather in May 2015 in a bout dubbed as “Fight of the Century,” losing via unanimous decisions.
Attempts for a rematch had been made but to no avail.
“If he comes out, go sign the contract and we’ll fight. I mean let’s fight again if he wants,” said Pacquiao.
“I have no problem with that. I’m active now, I don’t pick my opponents. I fight them all in my weight division.
Mayweather retired in 2017 after defeating Conor McGregor for a 50-0 slate and has since settled for exhibition fights.