Will Manny Pacquiao fight again after returning to boxing at 46 and pushing Mario Barrios to a majority draw?

Manny Pacquiao's balance wasn't quite right and he was slower than boxing fans have been accustomed to seeing him in the past.

But for a 46-year-old returning to the ring from a near four-year layoff, boxing's only eight-division world champion had enough spring in his step and bursts of brilliant inside punching to push WBC welterweight world titleholder Mario Barrios, 30, to a majority draw on Saturday night.

Judges inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas scored it 115-113 for Barrios, 114-114 and 114-114 for the majority draw, keeping the title with the younger fighter.

Had Pacquiao won the fight, he would have made history in the form of becoming the first Hall of Famer to win a world championship post-induction.

Though Pacquiao stood in the ring disappointed his hand was not raised in victory, his performance against a fighter 16 years his junior begged for the question whether the legend will fight again.

That's exactly what Jim Gray, working for Premier Boxing Champions, asked Pacquiao following the bout.

"I think so, I think so," said Pacquiao, fresh off his 73rd pro fight. "I only had two months training. What I need to do is continue my training. In a championship fight like this, I should train four months. Because of the election in the Philippines, I start late."

When asked if he'd like a rematch with Barrios, Pacquiao responded: "Yes, of course, of course. It's the only legacy I could leave behind, to give inspiration to the Filipino people and be proud."

Barrios took control of the fight early, dictating the pace and landing at will with a long jab that Pacquiao had trouble with. 

When it felt like Barrios could utilize the stick to win the fight, he inexplicably abandoned it over long stretches and that allowed Pacquiao to produce bursts of flurries inside. His best effort came in the eighth round where he peppered the champ with punches in bunches and pot shots to the crowd's delight.

While Pacquiao did not always outbox Barrios, he did use his vast experience to outwit the younger boxer.

Pacquiao had built a lead entering the 10th round, though Barrios took back some of the earlier control he lost with help of his jab and combinations, helping him take the final three rounds.

After the scorecards were announced for the majority draw, Pacquiao did not mince words.

"I thought I won the fight," he said. "It was a wonderful fight."

He added: "It's inspiration to old boxers that when you have discipline and hard work, you can still fight. I'm so thankful to god because without god, Manny Pacquiao is not here."

Prior to Saturday night, Pacquiao last fought August 2021 when he lost to Yordenis Ugas by unanimous decision.