Controversy Erupts in Pacquiao's Comeback Bout

Manny Pacquiao is a Filipino professional boxer, politician, and media personality renowned as one of the greatest boxers in history, the only fighter to win world titles in eight weight divisions and twelve major crowns across four decades.[1][2][3][5] Born in poverty, he began his pro career in 1995 at age 16, compiling a record of 62 wins, 8 losses, and 2 draws, with 39 knockouts over 73 bouts through 2025.[5][6] Pacquiao claimed his first world title in 1998, stopping WBC flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul in the eighth round, marking his initial lineal crown.[1][2] He rapidly ascended, securing the IBF super bantamweight belt in 2001 via sixth-round knockout of Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in his U.S. debut, followed by triumphs over Marco Antonio Barrera (2003, TKO11 for featherweight), Juan Manuel Márquez, Erik Morales, and others.[1][3][5] Under trainer Freddie Roach, he became the first Asian four-division champion by 2008, adding WBC super featherweight and lightweight titles.[1][2][3] His welterweight dominance peaked with knockouts of Ricky Hatton (2009, KO2), Miguel Cotto (2009, TKO12), and wins over Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito (2010, UD12 for an eighth-division crown).[1][3][5] Named Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association and The Ring in 2006 and 2008, Pacquiao retired in 2021 but returned in 2025, becoming the oldest welterweight champion at age 40.[3][5] From 2016 to 2022, he served as a Philippine senator and ran for president in 2022.[5] As of late 2025, he remains active, preparing for a WBC welterweight title shot, sustaining his legendary status in and out of the ring.[1][4][5]

Mario Thomas Barrios, born May 18, 1995, in Racine, Wisconsin, is a Mexican-American professional boxer known as the "Aztec Warrior" or "El Azteca." He moved to San Antonio, Texas, at a young age, which he considers his hometown, and turned pro on November 11, 2013.[2][3][5] Barrios first captured a world title in the super lightweight division (140 lbs), winning the vacant WBA (Regular) title on September 28, 2019, by unanimous decision over Batyr Akhmedov, despite a controversial outcome and two knockdowns in a grueling fight.[2] He held that belt until 2021. Moving up to welterweight (147 lbs), he secured the interim WBC welterweight title on September 30, 2023, with a dominant unanimous decision over former champion Yordenis Ugas, including two knockdowns.[5] He defended it on May 4, 2024, defeating Fabian Maidana by unanimous decision (116-111 on all cards) in the co-main event to Canelo Alvarez vs. Jaime Munguia at T-Mobile Arena.[2][5] As of recent records, Barrios holds the full WBC welterweight title since 2024 and maintains an undefeated streak in his latest bouts, with a pro record of 29-2-2 and 18 knockouts.[2][5] A two-division world champion, Barrios is ranked among boxing's top welterweights and remains highly relevant in the sport. Beyond the ring, he engages in philanthropy in San Antonio, partnering with figures like attorney Thomas J. Henry on community initiatives for underserved children, while pursuing interests in fashion, music, and indigenous rights advocacy.[3] His resilience, power, and marketability position him for major upcoming fights.[5]