In an explosive outburst that has left the boxing world in shock, legendary former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has blasted the judges for their controversial decision to score the Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios fight as a draw. Tyson, who is never one to hold back his opinion, took to social media to express his outrage, accusing the judges of “robbing” Pacquiao of a well-deserved victory. His comments have reignited debates over judging integrity and the state of modern boxing.
The Fight That Sparked Outrage
The highly anticipated showdown between Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino icon and former eight-division world champion, and Mario Barrios, the rising star in the welterweight division, took place in Las Vegas earlier this week. Pacquiao, at the age of 44, made his comeback after a two-year hiatus, with many fans wondering if he still had the skill and reflexes to compete at the highest level.
Barrios, who had previously suffered his first loss to Gervonta Davis in a thrilling bout, was seen as a serious challenge for the veteran Pacquiao. What followed in the ring, however, was a display of both ring savvy and relentless action from the Filipino, who appeared to be in excellent shape and clearly had the upper hand for most of the fight.
Despite Pacquiao’s clear dominance in the early rounds, Barrios showed resilience and hung tough, landing some solid punches in the middle rounds. However, by the time the 12th round came around, Pacquiao had built a convincing lead, landing a barrage of clean shots and showing that he was still a force to be reckoned with.
Yet, when the judges’ scorecards were revealed, the decision shocked everyone. The fight was called a draw—a result that left fans, analysts, and even the fighters themselves stunned.
Tyson’s Scathing Critique
Mike Tyson, a boxing legend known for his ferocious style and candid opinions, was one of the first high-profile figures to voice his disgust over the decision. On his social media platforms, Tyson posted a scathing criticism aimed squarely at the judges.
“They robbed Manny Pacquiao!” Tyson wrote in a now-viral tweet. “I don’t care who you are, if you watched that fight and didn’t give Manny that win, you’re a clown. How the hell do you call that a draw when Pacquiao clearly dominated most of the rounds? These judges have no business being in this sport. This is a straight-up robbery.”
Tyson’s strong words quickly spread across social media, with many fans and pundits agreeing with his sentiment. “I don’t know what these judges were watching, but it wasn’t the same fight we all saw,” Tyson continued. “Pacquiao is a living legend, and they robbed him tonight. Boxing needs to get its act together.”
Tyson’s comments have ignited a firestorm of debate, with many questioning the fairness and accountability of boxing’s judging system. Some fans went as far as to suggest that the decision was influenced by politics and the fact that Pacquiao is nearing the twilight of his career, making him less marketable for future big-money fights.
The Controversial Scoring
The scorecards that led to the draw have come under heavy scrutiny. One judge scored the fight 114-114, while the other two judges gave Barrios an edge, with scores of 115-113 and 116-112 in his favor. Most observers, including analysts and former fighters, felt that the scorecards did not reflect the action in the ring.
Veteran analyst Teddy Atlas, a frequent critic of boxing’s decision-making, weighed in, saying, “Pacquiao clearly won this fight. There’s no two ways about it. Barrios fought valiantly, but he was outboxed for the majority of the rounds. These scorecards are an embarrassment to the sport of boxing. We’re seeing too many of these controversial decisions, and it’s making fans lose faith in the integrity of the sport.”
Even Pacquiao’s team expressed confusion over the draw, with the fighter himself taking to social media to express his disappointment. “I gave everything I had in that ring. I felt like I won the fight,” Pacquiao said. “I respect the judges, but I feel that I deserved the victory.”
Fans React
The reaction from the boxing community has been swift and overwhelmingly in favor of Pacquiao. Fans flooded social media with their thoughts, many siding with Tyson’s assertion that the fight had been “robbed” from the Filipino legend.
One fan tweeted: “That was a clear win for Pacquiao. This draw is nonsense. The judges are out of touch with the reality of what they’re watching.” Another commented, “I think Mike Tyson nailed it. Pacquiao deserves better than this. He’s earned the right to go out on his terms, not have his legacy tainted by bad decisions.”
However, a minority of fans did argue in favor of Barrios, pointing to his grit and determination, but most agreed that Pacquiao’s performance was more than enough to secure a win.
What’s Next for Manny Pacquiao?
Despite the controversial result, the fight’s outcome doesn’t appear to have any long-term impact on Pacquiao’s legacy. The 44-year-old remains one of the greatest boxers in history, and his name continues to inspire millions around the globe.
However, questions about Pacquiao’s future in the sport remain. While he has hinted at possibly retiring after this bout, the controversial draw could fuel his desire to pursue one final title shot or take on another big-name opponent to close out his career on his terms.
As for the boxing world, the episode is yet another reminder of the growing concern over judging standards. With a sport that has seen its fair share of questionable decisions in recent years, Tyson’s bold remarks are likely to reignite discussions on how to improve transparency and fairness in the sport.
One thing is for certain: this debacle will be remembered for a long time, and Pacquiao will likely get the respect he deserves, no matter what the judges say.