Pacquiao in close win

Leaves Marquez claiming ‘I got robbed;’ points to a fourth rematch in 2012

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – There seems to be no end in sight to the storied Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao- Juan Manuel Marquez rivalry and everything points to a fourth fight in May, 2012.

In another action-packed battle between the Filipino power-puncher and the Mexican counter-puncher, Pacquiao was awarded a 12-round majority decision Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) over Marquez before a sell-out crowd of 16,368 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Marquez fought going backward all night, and that might have been his undoing. While he landed well at times, Pacquiao was in his face most of the night.

“I got robbed,” Marquez said. “I don’t know what else I can do to win.”

But in an interview aired over GMA-7 in Manila Sunday, Pacquiao admitted difficulty in beating Marquez in their third match.

When asked regarding his reaction over the remarks of other boxing fans watching the fight live here, Pacquiao said he respects the opinions of other persons – whether pro or anti.

“Kasama sa laro ‘yan (It’s part of the game),” Pacquiao pointed out.

But he claimed that it was a “close fight.”

Robert Hoyle scored it a draw at 114-114, while Dave Moretti saw it 115-113 and Glenn Trowbridge had it 116-112, both for Pacquiao, who was pushed to the limit once more in a defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title.

Pacquiao won some rounds with sheer aggression, while Marquez won others with brilliant counterpunching – practically keeping Pacquiao from getting inside.

Marquez was a 7-1 underdog, but it was clear early he would be in this fight.

But when the decision was announced, the crowd booed roundly and, once again Marquez had lost a close fight.

One ringside judge had it at a 114-114 draw, while two others favored Pacquiao by 115-113 and 116-112. The Associated Press had it at 114-114.

The sellout crowd at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, threw bottles and cans toward ringside after the decision was announced, with one full can hitting a ringside writer.

Marquez, who had been bitter about the scoring in the first two fights, stormed out of the ring.

While most of those in attendance thought Marquez deserved the verdict, compubox revealed the opposite as Pacquiao threw 578 punches and landed 176 (30 percent) of them, while Marquez unloaded 436 and connected with just 138 (32 percent).

Pacquiao won all departments as he threw a total of 274 power punches and landed 117 (43 percent), and Marquez let loose 254 and hit only 100 (39 percent), aside from firing and connecting more jabs, 304 (59 connected) to Marquez’s 182 (38 landed).

Pacquiao also averaged 49 punches a round and 14 landed, while Marquez had 36 and landed 11.

Unable to live up to expectations that he will destroy Marquez and settle the issue between them once and for all, Pacquiao found the 38-year-old Mexican boxer much tougher than the one he fought in May 2004 and March 2008.

Still, Pacquiao said he had done enough to earn the judges’ nod and is looking forward to a fourth clash with Marquez.

“I won the fight. I blocked lots of his punches,” said Pacquiao. “Yes, I want to give him a rematch.”

Under the agreement signed by the two fighters, a fourth fight will only be considered in the event Marquez emerges victorious.

But because many those in the arena and those watching it on television here and around the world thought Marquez was the clear winner, promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank has no choice but to set up a fourth fight.

“We will do the rematch in May 2012 if we get the fighters to agree.

I am bound and determined to find a definitive winner once and for all,” said Arum.

Meanwhile, President Aquino congratulated Pacquiao for displaying the true grit and strength of Filipinos after defeating Marquez in a close fight.

Although miles away from the country, the President joined the Filipino nation in celebrating Pacquiao’s latest victory and expressed hope the Filipino boxer will continue to help and inspire Filipinos whether in boxing or public service.

“Kaisa ang sambayanang Pilipino, malugod kong binabati si Congressman Manny Pacquiao sa kanyang matagumpay na pagdepensa sa WBO Welterweight belt laban kay Juan Manuel Marquez sa Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Sa kanilang ikatlong paghaharap ni Marquez, muling ipinamalas ni Manny ang tatag at lakas ng Pinoy sa buong mundo (I join the Filipino nation in congratulating Congressman Manny Pacquiao for triumphantly defending his WBO Welterweight belt against Juan Manuel Varquez in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. In their third encounter, Manny has showed anew the strength and determination of Filipinos in the world),” the President said in a statement issued from Hawaii where he is attending a summit of Pacific Rim leaders.

Like in the previous meetings, Pacquiao was the stalker and Marquez the hunted one, but unlike before, it was Marquez who landed the more telling blows this time, magnifying it even further by Pacquiao’s inability to land his killer punches.

Two right hands by Marquez in the seventh round and their thumping sound heard several rows from the ring.

Pacquiao also had his moments, of course, as he struck Marquez with his favorite left hand but it did not land squarely on the jaw, enabling Marquez to remain vertical.

Freddie Roach, who had predicted a blowout win for Pacquiao, said he was stunned by Marquez’s superb showing by showering him with praises.

“Marquez took Manny’s punches much better this time. He had great success with his right hand,” said Roach.

Pacquiao said Marquez’s style really troubled him, citing that Marquez “was always waiting for a great shot.”

It could not be determined how much Pacquiao will get as a guarantee in the planned fourth fight after being assured of $22 million in this rubber match.

Marquez will lobby for a bigger purse in this proposed fourth showdown after being guaranteed $5 million.

Arum said everything will go through proper negotiations.

In the Caraga Region, major thoroughfares and streets in Butuan City and the rest of the five cities and five provinces in Northeastern Mindanao remained at a standstill – practically no movement until late lunchtime on Sunday.

“Zero crime, clean, and no blotter report before, during and after Manny fight,” said a duty police officer of Police Regional Office 13 on Sunday.

In that short span of time, the region’s peacekeepers would be doing nothing as crimes in the Caraga Region are expected to drop to zero.

It was also observed that the government security forces, and even the rebels, both laid their arms down, and peace, no matter how short, will prevailed over the strife-torn areas in Mindanao.

In Marikina City, the Freedom Park and the Parang Playground Basketball were filled to watch the much-awaited Pacquiao-Marquez fight.

At the police headquarters, no untoward incident was reported as policemen said this is just a normal scenario every time Pacquiao has a fight.

“Kung maari nga lang, araw-araw may laban para walang krimen,” said a junior policeman who was also busy watching the fight at the Freedom Park.

The city government of Marikina has set up venues for the live telecast via satellite one at the Freedom Park and at the Parang Playground.

Traffic was also light in the said areas. (With reports from AP, Genalyn D. Kabiling, Mike U. Crismundo, and Madelynne Dominguez)

source: mb.com.ph