Pacquaio, Usyk, Poirier highlight huge weekend in combat sports

(KTAL/KMSS) — A boxing legend returned, the heavyweight title was unified, and a UFC legend retired in one of the biggest combat sports weekends in recent memory.

Manny Pacquiao returned to the ring for the first time since a 2021 unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas.

A four-year layoff can be daunting for any boxer. Pacquiao returned at 46 years old to fight the 30-year-old WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

The Filipino icon, seeking to win another world championship 24 years after his first, produced a performance reminiscent of his prime in the early stages of the fight.

Pacquiao took an early lead but was unable to maintain it as the fight progressed. Ahead on all three judges’ scorecards going into the tenth round, Pacquiao lost the remaining three rounds. The official scorecards had two judges scoring the fight 114-114, while the third scored it 115-113 for Barrios, making the fight a majority draw and leaving the former senator calling for a rematch.

Pacquiao, who failed in a bid to return to the Filipino senate, said, “Because of the election, I started (training) late, but it’s OK. Of course, I’d like a rematch. I want to leave a legacy and make the Filipino people proud.”

Another significant fight took place in London as Oleksandr Usyk defeated Daniel Dubois for the second time, becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time in the process.

In 2023, the pair fought with Usyk knocking out Dubois in Round 9. Dubois expressed frustration, feeling that a punch that knocked down Usyk in the fifth round was erroneously ruled a low blow. Because the punch was ruled a foul, Usyk, at the insistence of the referee, was given almost four minutes to recover.

The Ukrainian Usyk went on to become the undisputed champion for the first time in his next fight, beating Tyson Fury.

In the second fight, Usyk left no room for controversy, knocking Dubois down twice in the fifth round. Dubois was unable to recover in time from the massive left hand that dropped him the second time.

Usyk was evasive when asked about his future following the fight, insisting that 39 is not old but also saying, “I don’t know. I want to be at home with my family, my wife, my children. I want to rest now, but maybe for two or three months, I just want to rest.” He later elaborated, “Maybe Tyson Fury. Maybe we have three options. Listen, I can not say now because I want to go back home.”

UFC legend Dustin Poirier did his best to secure a storybook ending to his career, but fell short to Max Holloway.

Poirier and his fighting career are as Louisiana as it gets. He’s from Lafayette, and his first professional fight was in Shreveport. When he announced his UFC 318 fight in New Orleans against Holloway would be his last, it just felt right.

The emotion of the night was palpable. The partisan home-state crowd roared every time Poirier was shown on screen.

The love was evident, but not enough to propel “The Diamond” to victory.

Despite beating Holloway in two previous battles, Poirier could not overcome his Hawaiian opponent. Holloway used volume striking and some of the best boxing in MMA to hurt and drop Poirier in the first two rounds.

Refusing to disappoint his home state fans, Poirier refused to wilt under pressure, coming back to knock down Holloway in return, but was unable to take control for long enough stretches.

All three judges scored the fight for Holloway. While Poirier lost in the cage, he felt like he gained more than a win could ever provide.

“It’s been overwhelming. I feel appreciated. I feel seen. I never got to step outside of fighting and look at this this way.” “I didn’t know I touched as many people by living my dreams. You touched my heart.”