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Mauricio Sulaimán Announces Doping Test Results for Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios
Mauricio Sulaimán, president of the WBC, confirmed that doping tests for Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios following their fight in Las Vegas came back negative, clearing doubts and opening the door for future bouts for both fighters.
Pacquiao and Barrios Cleared of Any Suspicion
World Boxing Council (WBC) president Mauricio Sulaimán revealed Monday that VADA tests conducted on Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios after their July 19 bout returned negative results. The news comes at a pivotal time for boxing, which in recent years has faced several high-profile doping controversies.+
The fight, held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, ended in a draw but left a positive impression regarding Pacquiao’s return to the ring after four years of inactivity. At 46, the Filipino icon showed he can still compete at the elite level, fueling speculation about future matchups against names like Gervonta Davis or Rolando Romero.
“Just received from @Vada_Testing the final notification of testing performed on @MannyPacquiao and Mario Barrios for their fight, and all negative,” wrote Sulaimán on X. He also thanked Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) and Al Haymon for ensuring the event complied with the “Clean Boxing Program.”
Uncertain Future, but Full of Possibilities
For Mario Barrios, despite criticism over his performance, he managed to retain his belt and remains in position to pursue a title unification. Both he and Pacquiao have expressed interest in a rematch, which could become one of the most appealing bouts in the welterweight division.
The bout, held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas — the same venue where Pacquiao made his U.S. debut 24 years ago — ended in a majority draw: two judges scored it 114-114, while the third gave Barrios a narrow win with a 115-113 card.
At 46 years old, Pacquiao showed he was still in excellent physical condition and delivered a competitive performance. Over 12 rounds, he landed 81 power punches, slightly edging out Barrios’ 75. However, the champion was more accurate overall, connecting on 120 total punches to Pacquiao’s 101, including a clear advantage in jabs (45 to 20).
“I believe I won the fight,” Pacquiao said after the bout, marking his return to the ring after four years of inactivity. “It was a very close fight. I worked hard, stayed disciplined, and I’m always in shape for this.”
