Manny Pacquiao W UD12 Chris Algieri
Manny Pacquiao had a tall order in front of him Saturday night at Cotai Arena, in Macau, China, but it wasn?t the sheer height of his 5?10 opponent Chris Algieri, it was the task finding a fight. The Filipino superstar dominated the bout but had difficulty ending things on his own terms as the inexperienced American challenger seemed overwhelmed by the moment and completely reluctant to fight. After twelve one-sided rounds were complete that featured six knockdowns, Pacquiao was announced as the winner by virtual shut-out scores in front of the elated crowd in China.
Photo by Chris Farina ? Top Rank The ?Pacman? started out calm and calculating and showed right off the bat he could find the taller, retreating Algieri with his power punches. The New Yorker began the bout on his bicycle seemingly trying to settle himself in the moment. It was immediately evident a main objective for the Filipino charge would be to cut off the ring and he went to work chasing down the taller Algieri early.
In the second round, Pacquiao clipped a retreating Algieri who slid in the corner and went down. It was credited as a knockdown and an early additional point for Manny.
The Filipino Congressman cruised through the first three rounds, pot-shotting Algieri who seemed more interested in moving and surviving than he did to take chances trying to mount any offense.
In the fourth Pacquiao began to close the distance and was able to time some hard, flush power shots that seemed to weigh heavy on the American. Algieri looked more and more in over his head with every passing round.
In Round 6 a hard left hand from Pacquiao rung Algieri?s bell and it was followed up by a combo that decked the American who summersaulted back into a standing position. Pacquiao looked to finish and Algieri went down again. Seemingly overwhelmed, the New York charge got on his bike and managed to survive the round.
Algieri boxed and moved in the seventh but did little to swing the round (or the fight) in his favour. Pacquiao continued to chase, and after more than half the fight was over he was seemingly up by shutout scores with three additional points in the bank for the knockdowns.
The ensuing rounds fell into the rhythm of Algieri back peddling as best he could with Pacquiao looking to chase the taller fighter down.
Photo: Chris Farina / Top Rank In Round 9 a titanic left hand from Pacquiao found the mark like a heat seeking missile. Algieri went down hard and got up at the count of nine. Pacquiao jumped all over him and scored another knockdown as the American hit the ropes hard. While he gallantly fought on it was just target practice as Pacquiao pounded away until the bell sounded. Inexplicably, as Algieri returned to his corner his trainer quipped ?All right Chris, we?re right where we want to be!?
Algieri ran his best in the tenth but was sent down for a sixth time from another barrage.
For all his might, Pacquiao had a difficult time ending things because the American?s height and reach made him a difficult target to find when he was in full retreat mode.
Pacquiao continued to chase Algieri through the championship rounds as the American was becoming increasingly bloody and bruised. Algieri seemed content to survive as he backed up and backed up until the final bell rang ending the one-sided affair.
Scores were 119-103(x2) and 120-102, all for Manny Pacquiao who retained his WBO welterweight title with the win.
In the post fight interview, HBO asked Pacquiao about the possibility of a long awaited showdown with Floyd Mayweather finally coming to fruition in 2015, and the Filipino charge was quite witty, responding ?He?s going to fight me?? He?s going to fight ME????? (alluding to his recent commercial spot, poking fun at Mayweather).
