LAS VEGAS – If Mario Barrios boxed too cautiously Saturday night for your taste, he reminded dissatisfied fans why during his post-fight press conference.

The WBC welterweight champion remained mindful of Manny Pacquiao's power from the opening bell until the final bell in a competitive bout that resulted in a majority draw at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Barrios realized quite quickly in their 12-round, 147-pound title fight that he wasn't in the ring with what most would expect from a 46-year-old opponent who hadn't fought since August 2021.

Pacquiao proved what his trainers, Freddie Roach and Justin Fortune, told anyone who would listen – that this version of the eight-division champion compared favorably to the fast, strong southpaw who defeated then-unbeaten Keith Thurman by split decision almost six years to the day earlier at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

"It wasn't necessarily about respect," Barrios said. "It was just, you know, he still has a lotta crack. For his age, he was very explosive, tricky and I just wasn't trying to make a mistake by overcommitting on a shot that I wasn't sure of."

Pacquiao's power prevented a cautious Barrios from taking what he deemed unnecessary risks.

Had a fighter who is 16 years younger and six inches taller than Pacquiao pressed the action with more regularity, the 6-foot Barrios might've won a unanimous decision or even hurt Pacquiao. By the same token, the San Antonio native also may have been knocked out.

By boxing more than banging, Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs) could only come away with his second straight draw.

None of the judges scored their Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view main event for the Philippines' Pacquiao, much to the dismay of a decidedly pro-Pacquiao crowd that applauded every Pacquiao punch, even those that didn't land. Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs) stated at his own post-fight press conference that he should've been credited for winning eight rounds.

Judge Max De Luca scored Barrios a 115-113 winner, while Tim Cheatham and Steve Weisfeld scored Pacquiao's first fight in almost four years a draw, 114-114 apiece.

Barrios obviously disagreed with Pacquiao's assessment of the scoring. The 30-year-old champion did however, praise Pacquiao for his ability to compete at the championship level at such an advanced age and welcomed an immediate rematch.

"I prepared for the best Pacquiao," Barrios said. "But, he's still tricky in there, still has so much experience and showed that tonight. You know, it was a really good learning experience for me. I'm still proud of everything I was able to do."