Manny Pacquiao retains the WBO welterweight title with a controversial majority decision over Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Most ringside observers had a draw (ESPN, BOXING NEWS, TELEGRAPH), others (LAS VEGAS SUN, USA TODAY, WALL STREET JOURNAL) had Marquez winning in the third fight between the pair.
ROUND BY ROUND
ONE
Cagey opening round, won by Marquez, who lands a couple of glancing blows to the champion’s head and a handful of body shots. Mexico, and Ole echo around the Arena. Both men very patient. Last 10 seconds they go at it.
Marquez 10-9
TWO
Two good lefts from Pacquiao. Left uppercut from Marquez, big right and a body shot. Marquez landing marginally more shots. Pacquiao allowing Marquez to dictate from the counter. Pacquiao reluctant to come forward, seems too cagey.
Marquez 10-9
THREE
Left uppercut from Marquez. Chants of ‘Mexico’, Marquez fans know their man on top. Body shot from Marquez. Good jabs from Marquez, then a fencing to the body. Left then great right hook from Pacquiao; the heat in the ring raised in the last few seconds as they trade.
Pacquiao 10-9
FOUR
Left, right and then a big left from Pacquiao. Then another left from Pacquiao. Yet Marquez returns, landing a right hand a body shot. Pacquiao hunting him down more now, but Marquez lands with two right hands at the end of the round. Screams his delight at the end of the round. Good finish by Marquez better Pacquiao lands more.
Pacquiao 10-9
FIVE
Crowd roars as left uppercut from Marquez lands. Mexican’s jab working well. Right hand knocks Pacquiao off balance. Left upper cut then a right hand all great work from Marquez.
Marquez 10-9
SIX
The fight really comes alive. Left from Manny, right from Marquez. Then two body shots from the Mexican. Pacman lands a right hook, then a flurry of punches from Pacman, and two rights from Marquez. Both men really opening up.
Pacqiuao 10-9
SEVEN
Marquez winds up with big right, then a left-right, sending Pacquiao’s hair up in a shock. Good movement and counters from Marquez. Best round of the fight so far for Marquez, catching Pacman time and again with counters.
Marquez 10-9
EIGHT
Good right from Pacquiao, left to the body from Marquez.
Pacquiao caught again by the right. Good left from Pacquiao, but Marquez is controlling the ring and moving brilliantly. Pacquiao is being caught in the exchanges; looks like he is having an ‘off’ night. Marquez is commanding the show.
Marquez 10-9
NINE
Pacquiao can’t seem to find a way in. Pacquiao upping his attacks but missing with lots of shots. Twice caught in exchanges.
Marquez 10-9
TEN
Good left from Pacquiao at the start of the round. Then another. Marquez is now tiring. Pacquiao looks strong, and is dominating more, Marquez on defensive. Pacquiao cut on the eye from a head clash
Pacquiao 10-9
ELEVEN
Body shot from Pacquiao, now in command but still sloppy work. Pacquiao looking to land and having some success. Marquez looks like he’s fighting protecting a lead
Pacquiao 10-9
TWELVE
Two lefts from Pacquiao, looking for a way in and now the aggressor. Marquez countering less, good movement from Pacquiao lands a couple of left hands. It is not a ferocious round, but Pacquiao lands with more. They exchange heavily in the final twenty seconds.
Pacquiao 10-9
Telegraph score: 114-114 DRAW
Judges score: 114-114, 115-113, 116-112 to Pacquiao by majority decision.
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