LAS VEGAS ? Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao wrested the WBC (World Boxing Council) superfeatherweight crown from Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez via split decision over 12 brutal rounds, earning himself a place in boxing history as the first Asian to win titles in three divisions at the Mandalay Bay Resort Saturday night.
At Malaca?ang, President Arroyo joined the nation in celebration and said the victory has ?united and inspired Filipinos for a brief moment even in times of divisiveness.?
The fight, witnessed by a cheering and jeering crowd of more than 11,000, was so close, so unpredictable all throughout, that despite a third-round knockdown scored by Pacquiao, many thought it could have gone either way.
Pacquiao celebrated with his team after the verdict was announced. The victory, which earned him the coveted WBC crown, cemented his claim as the best Asian fighter at present with a record third title in three different weight categories.
Pacquiao also won the WBC flyweight title and the IBF (International Boxing Federation) super bantamweight crown. He also won the Peoples and Ring Magazine featherweight titles.
Asked if he?d give Marquez a third match, Pacquaio said, ?I don?t think so. This business is over.?
He, however, said that a third fight with Marquez could happen if he gets what he wants ? a guaranteed purse of $6 million or P246 million.
The Mexican?s camp insisted that a rematch should come in a couple of months, and not a Pacquiao fight against WBC lightweight champion David Diaz ?who won in the undercard against a former Pacquiao spar mate ?which is tentatively scheduled June 28, also at Mandalay Bay.
Marquez didn?t hide his disappointment with the verdict.
?I don?t like the decision. I still feel I?m the champion. It was a bad decision. I thought I fought a great fight. I still feel I am the champion. I don?t like the decision,? were the words that came out of Marquez on top of the ring.
?The knockdown, he got me cold. Then I adjusted and from then on I dictated the whole fight. The knockdown did not affect me. And it?s not just about one round. The people are the best judges and they were booing him. I won,? he said.
Golden Boy?s Richard Schaefer, the Mexican fighter?s promoter, said ?I?m not gonna cry. I never do. I?m sure everybody would agree there is a controversy and so the right thing to do is to hold a third fight. This fight should have gone to the champion, Juan Manuel.?
Pacquiao?s promoter Bob Arum said, ?I?m telling you we?re not going to go for an immediate rematch. That?s not how you sell fights. There?s no question we can do the rematch. It?s just a matter of timing.?
Judges Duane Ford scored it 115-112 for Marquez, Jerry Roth 115-112 for Pacquiao and Tom Miller, a late replacement for Dick Flaherty, had it 114-113 for the Filipino. It was a split decision.
Still, nothing should be taken away from the Filipino boxing hero who knocked down Marquez with a powerful left to the side of the head late in the third round. Pacquiao fans at the Events Center exploded, thinking that the end was about to come.
What they didn?t know was that both fighters were just warming up.
Marquez, the Mexican counter-puncher, fell on the seat of his pants but got up quickly. Bravely, he engaged Pacquiao in a daring exchange near the neutral corner, and was on the verge of another knockdown on the ropes before time expired.
Just as the bell sounded, or right after it did, Marquez connected with a strong punch that was clearly felt by the Pinoy boxer. Referee Kenny Bayless signaled to a judge that because of the noise, he didn?t hear the bell and was late in breaking up the fighters.
Before that knockdown, Marquez seemed in control of the fight, especially in the second round which he won in the eyes of all three judges. Marquez connected with a very good left, and Pacquiao?s legs wobbled in that round.
Pacquiao egged Marquez to give him some more as the round came to an end. In the replays shown on the wide screen it appeared that though it was a good punch, Pacquiao wobbled because he was caught off-balance.
The fourth, fifth and sixth rounds were a see-saw battle, and Marquez, once again, started showing his ability to come back from a knockdown, like he did in 2004 when he fell down thrice in the opening round but still managed a draw.
It was a controversial draw, and this fight may just turn out to be as controversial.
There was an accidental clash of heads in the seventh round, and after a few exchanges blood started to flow from under Marquez?s left eye. By the end of the round, Pacquiao sported a cut of his own, one over the right eye.
The eighth round was the biggest for Marquez, who caught Pacquiao with a solid right to the face. Pacquiao winced and appeared to be shaken, and soon after blood was oozing from his cut that had gotten so nasty.
Both fighters tried to knock each other out in the succeeding rounds, although Pacquiao seemed to have gotten a second wind starting in the 10th round. By this time, both fighters were bloodied in the face.
Pacquiao and Marquez appeared so evenly matched that they both raised their hands in triumph at the final bell.
?Uniting force?
President Arroyo, who watched the bout with First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo at Mickey?s Grill, a restaurant owned by presidential son and Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo in Pasay City, said Pacquiao ?has again brought immense glory to the flag and Filipino people with his hard fought victory today.
?Once more, he has inspired us with his big fighting heart, his determination and grit,? Mrs. Arroyo said. ?He is truly one of our nation?s heroes who can unite us even in times of divisiveness.?
She described Pacquiao as an ?an icon of the masses? who ?mirrors the champ within every Filipino, here and abroad.
?I join the Filipino people in savoring this moment of sweet victory and national unity prompted by the courage, discipline and fighting heart of our boxing hero, Manny Pacquiao,? the President said.
?Like him, we, too, shall overcome the battles ahead, with courage and a steadfast faith in ourselves, our country, and the Lord Almighty,? she said.
Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said Pacquiao?s victory has proven that Filipinos can excel in any endeavor and that Filipinos can be united for the country. ? Paolo Romero
