Last night on HBO Pay Per View, Manny ?PacMan? Pacquiao, 46-3-2, 34 KO?s, is the new WBC & Ring Magazine Super Featherweight Champion of the World. Congratulations PacMan on a well- fought, exciting deserved victory.
Juan Manuel Marquez, 48-4-1, 35 KO?s, also earned our accolades for fighting a brilliant tactical bout in losing his title via the slimmest of margins. One judge had Marquez winning with a score of 115-112, while the other two gave it to Pacquiao 115-112 and 114-113 respectively. Both the HBO commentators, Harold Lederman, and two Los Angles Times reporters also gave the decision to the new champion. RSR had Marquez the victor with a 114-113 tab, feeling he had the better of the early part of the fight, except the third round, and edging out the 12th and final round. Later Pacquiao said: ?I felt I was in danger of losing and went all out in spite of not being able to see in the last two rounds,? and added: ?I fought the last part of this fight mainly on heart?he was going to have to knock me out.?
It was battle royal and both men should be proud of their achievement. At the end, Marquez required eight stitches on his badly cut eye, acquired as the result of an accidental collision of heads and accentuated by the PacMan?s blows. Pacquiao required 8 outside and 11 inside stitches on what was described as a superficial wound to his eye. During the post fight interview, Marquez displayed his injuries without camouflage while Pacquiao wore sunglasses covering his patchwork.
The fight was a war from start to finish, ranking in excitement and drama with the best fights I have ever had the pleasure of viewing. The only knockdown came in the third stanza when a well timed left by the southpaw Pacquaio, landed Marquez on the seat of his pants. To his credit Marquez got up and weathered the round. The bout was highlighted by fast action and strong, effective punches landing throughout. Marquez was particularly successful with his straight rights, which stunned and even staggered Pacquaio on several occasions. Pacquaio was effective with his left, however, had trouble landing any power rights until the eighth round.
The crowd loved it, screaming ?Marquez, Marquez, Marquez? throughout, and the PacMan contingent countering with ?Manny, Manny, Manny,? it was deafening and we were all on the edge of our seats the entire 12 rounds. Comparisons with the recent Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez classic were abundant and accurate. At its conclusion, the fight had lived beyond most expectations. A fan?s delight with the only regret being the lack of a clear cut and unquestioned winner. Knockouts can be so satisfying and conclusive.
After the encounter, the Marquez Team were claiming foul and robbery. The Pacquiao Team were gracious in accepting their good fortune and the greatness of the fight and their opponent, the now ex-champion, Juan Manuel Marquez. Either man could have been declared the winner with no complaint from most of the crowd and the clamor for a rematch is resounding.
If and when they meet again it will have to be at 135 pounds or higher, Pacquiao has stated that this was his last fight at the super featherweight limit. The Marquez camp want the match as soon as possible, Bob Arum, the primary promoter wants to have a little time between bouts to enhance the fervor, and David Diaz, a lightweight world champion says he wants his shot at a big money fight by defending his title against Pacquiao, tentatively scheduled for June 28.
The supporting card was outstanding. Steven Luevano, 35-1, 15 KO?s, defended his WBO Featherweight Title with a unanimous 12 round decision against the powerful Terdsak Jandaeng, 29-2, 19 KO?s. Luevano hit the canvas once early in the fight but arose quickly and seemed to easily, although cautiously, defeat his opponent. This writer is extremely impressed with Luevano?s ring generalship and boxing skills and look forward to his next title fight.
Abner Mares, 16-0, 10 KO?s, looks like the new bright star in boxing with his two round demolition of very tough, Diosdado Gabi, 30-4-1, 22 KO?s. Abner hits hard, fast, and furiously. He then lights up the arena with his smile and personality. He retained his NABO Bantamweight Title in this bout but is clearly telling the world champions at this weight to watch out.
David Diaz, 34-1-1, 17 KO?s, WBC Lightweight Champion defeated Ramon Montano15-5-3, 1 KO, in a 10 round non-title affair. Diaz looked sharp, however, while competitive, Montano did not have the firepower to present any real threat to Diaz. One judge, Glenn Trowbridge, had the contest as a draw, the other two judges gave it to Diaz, who really should have won decisively on every card.
Michael Farenas, 20-2-2, 18 KO?s, was declared the winner over Baudel Cardenas, 17-13-2, 6 KO?s, in an abbreviated bout, highlighted, or low lighted if you will, by a extremely low blow landed by Farenas that had Cardenas sprawled on the canvas for a very long time. The victory was awarded to Farenas because he was clearly ahead at the time. It was marked as a 3rd round TKO.
The first bout of the evening featured Byron Tyson, 9-0-2, 4 KO?s, versus Esau Herrera, 15-3-1, 8 KO?s. This fight ended in a draw, probably because Tyson suffered a quick knockdown. I felt that Tyson deserved the win despite the knockdown.
The sold out crowd and the HBO PPV audience was treated to a terrific night at the fights and The Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort must be applauded for establishing such a fan friendly boxing environment.
