Posted on 03/15/2008 10:11:15 PM PDT by LibWhacker
LAS VEGAS -- Manny Pacquiao's rematch victory over Juan Manuel Marquez was worth every minute of the four-year wait.
Pacquiao won a narrow split decision to claim Marquez's WBC 130-pound title Saturday night in a sensational fight that left two of the world's best boxers bloody and triumphant.
Though Marquez landed more punches at a higher percentage, Pacquiao (46-3-2) knocked down Marquez (48-4-1) in the third round and persevered through a nasty cut. Marquez also was cut in the fight, but neither backed down from one scintillating exchange after another.
Their first matchup ended in a draw in May 2004. Marquez was knocked down three times in the opening round of that acclaimed bout, but improbably rallied to win most of the later rounds in a possible career-saving performance.
And that meeting was just a warmup.
Judge Duane Ford favored Pacquiao 115-112 and Jerry Roth called it 115-112 for Marquez, while Tom Miller gave a 114-113 edge to Pacquiao. The Associated Press narrowly favored Marquez, 114-113.
But with outstanding action in nearly every round producing bloody injuries and heart-stopping moments, the fight was befitting of a matchup between two of the world's most gifted boxers.
From the opening bell, the action was fast and frenetic at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Marquez staggered Pacquiao in the second round, but Pacquiao knocked down Marquez in the third with a left hook. Pacquiao then wobbled Marquez again late in what's sure to be one of the year's best rounds, but couldn't finish off Marquez.
"I don't like the decision," Marquez said. "I still feel I am the champion. It was a bad decision. That first knockdown, he got me cold, but then I adjusted my game plan and I thought from then on, I dictated the whole fight. ... The people are the best judge, and the people are booing him. I won."
Pacquiao won a major world title in his fourth weight division, and he intends to take on a fifth when he moves up to 135 pounds for his next fight against David Diaz, the WBC lightweight champion who won on Saturday's undercard.
Missed this one, but I will definitely catch the replay on HBO. Lots of great boxing these days outside the heavyweight division. Hopefully David Haye can make some noise when he moves up.
Philippines celebrates Pacquiao victory
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 13:50:00 03/16/2008
MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos set aside political problems Sunday and celebrated boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao’s sensational WBC superfeatherweight victory over Mexico’s Juan Miguel Marquez.
Construction workers in Manila’s Makati financial district crowded around a radio which broadcast the fight live and erupted in cheers as judges announced a split decision in favor of the Filipino, making him world champion.
The military, which earlier declared a special ceasefire to allow soldiers to watch the fight, put up a giant screen at the army headquarters.
President Gloria Arroyo, who has rejected calls to step down over alleged corruption, watched the match from the presidential palace with family and friends.
“Once again, the Pacman has proven that the Filipino can excel in any endeavor and that we can all be united as a nation for the interest of our country,” Arroyo spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said in a statement, referring to the boxer’s nickname.
“The president has watched the game and she’s very happy for Manny’s victory,” she said.
Arroyo also personally greeted Pacquiao on the telephone, she said.
“This was the toughest fight for me,” Pacquiao said over Manila radio station DZBB. “This fight was not just for me, this was for the Filipino people.”
“Pacquiao was so good. We were initially afraid he was going to lose, but he felled Marquez in the earlier rounds and all was good,” said Hector, a laborer as he held a beer in one hand.
Separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels who are negotiating a peace settlement with the government also eased their patrols to watch the fight.
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said guerrillas were also told to enjoy the fight, and rally round a fellow Filipino.
“There are no longer Muslims and Christians. Manny is a great Filipino today. Today, there is no war. We are busy celebrating,” Kabalu said from his base in southern Mindanao island.
In a sizzling rematch of their 2004 fight, which ended in a draw, one judge gave Marquez a 115-112 decision while another saw Pacquiao the winner by the same margin. The decisive third judge gave the bout to Pacquiao 114-113.
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