LAS VEGAS -- Manny Pacquiao is no stranger on the big stage and by nature thrives under the spotlight.

But Mario Barrios, teeming with youth and vigor, simply managed to stay out of harm's way.

The American crown holder safely evaded the Filipino boxing legend's onslaught to retain his World Boxing Council welterweight title via majority draw on Saturday night (Sunday, July 20 in Manila) before a mammoth gathering at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

''It was an honor to share the ring with him. This is by far the biggest event I've had to date and we came in here and left everything in the ring. I have nothing but respect for Manny,'' said Barrios.

Younger, taller and tactically versatile, the 30-year-old Barrios steered clear of the mayhem that Pacquiao brought throughout their full-length confrontation, which went to the scorecards.

Judges Tim Cheatham and Steve Weisfeld saw it 114-all while Max De Luca's verdict sided with the defending champion, 115-113.

''I thought I won the fight. It was close. I had to find a way to finish the fight, but my opponent was so tough. He threw a lot of good combinations and had defense,'' said Pacquiao, who consistently pressed on with a hostile approach in the middle rounds.

The finest moments for the only eight-division world champion came in the eighth round where Pacquiao landed a thunderclap of punches in the last 30 seconds, elevating the pressure on his foe and eliciting loud cheers from the raving crowd.

Armed with a longer reach, Barrios picked the all-reliable jab from his arsenal as the weapon of choice to recover in the ninth before both unleashed another fierce exchange in the 10th.

''I was more tactical in this fight than my previous fight. I needed to be more active and throw more punches because that's my style,'' said Pacquiao.

With Pacquiao's legs still sturdy in the penultimate round while attacking at various angles, Barrios turned feistier in the 12th, probably sensing that he was lagging behind on points during the climax of the fight attended by Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino at ringside.

But the 46-year-old Pacquiao, who completed his 73rd bout, including 16 times in this arena that he calls home, was careful enough not to throw caution to the wind, putting up a superb defensive wall coupled with constant movement.

''His stamina is crazy. He's still strong as hell and his timing is real. He's still a very awkward fighter to try to figure out. The plan was to press him and try to make him feel old. But he's still got good legs,'' said Barrios.

Pacquiao stirred out of inactivity four years after a defeat against Yordenis Ugas prompted the Hall of Famer to walk away from the sport and retire after spending three decades on the ring.

The former Senator was highly regarded as the ''Mexican Slayer,'' having defeated Mexicans Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Antonio Margarito, Oscar Larios, Hector Velasquez, Emmanuel Lucero and Oscar Dela Hoya in a storied career that began with humble beginnings in General Santos City.

Barrios had no plans of joining this long list of victims, but he's amenable to giving Pacquiao another opportunity.

''I'll do the rematch. Absolutely. This was huge for boxing. I'd love to do it again,'' said Barrios, who was oddsmakers favorite coming in.

Pacquiao nearly turned back the hands of time despite being tagged as the clear underdog at +195 compared to Barrios' -275 before their clash began in this gambling Mecca where the fight was attended by 13,107.

''I worked hard and stayed disciplined. I always keep my body in shape so that I can do this. I hope this is an inspiration to boxers that if you have discipline and work hard, you can still fight at this age,'' said Pacquiao.

Reports have it that he stands to earn somewhere in the vicinity of $5 million to $10 million.

''I need to continue my training longer going into a championship fight. Because of the election, I started late but it's okay,'' said Pacquiao, who ran for Senator in the recent elections but lost.

The passive Barrios appeared to have shown much respect to the Pacman, who had an 81-75 edge in power punches landed.

Barrios, who could reportedly earn from $500,000 to $1 million, doubled his jabs to 45 against Pacquiao's 20, landing a total of 120 punches compared to the other corner with 101.

''Of course I'd like a rematch. I want to leave a legacy and make the Filipino people proud,'' said Pacquiao.