LAS VEGAS?It could have gone either way.
But in the end, the knockdown in the third round spelled the difference for Manny Pacquiao in his rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez for the Mexican?s World Boxing Council super featherweight crown.
With doubts hanging as to whether the Filipino ring icon deserved the split decision victory over Marquez, the Philippine Daily Inquirer got back to the judges? scorecards.
Here?s what we found.
The three judges?Tom Miller, Duane Ford and Jerry Roth?had identical scores up to the fifth round, with Pacquiao ahead, 48-46, as a result of the knockdown.
They finally differed in Round 6, with Roth, the substitute referee whose inclusion was questioned by Marquez?s camp, giving it to Marquez. Miller and Ford sided with Pacquiao.
Again, the judges had similar scores, all for Marquez in Rounds 7 and 8, allowing the Mexican to close in, 75-76.
Miller and Ford saw Pacquiao as the Round 9 winner, with Roth choosing Marquez.
All three judges gave the 10th to Pacquiao and the 11th to Marquez.
Miller and Roth also awarded the 12th round to Marquez, rendering inconsequential Ford?s score for Pacquiao.
Roth wound up with a 115-112 score for Marquez, the same score given by Ford to Pacquiao. Miller clinched it for the Filipino ring superstar by a point, 114-113.
Based on the final punch statistics, however, Marquez had the edge.
Though Pacquiao threw more punches, 619-511, Marquez landed more 172-157.
Pacquiao also unleashed more jabs, 314-201, connecting 43 times as against Marquez?s 42.
On power punches thrown, Marquez had a slight edge, 310-305, and also scored more, 130-114.
Filipino international referee-judge Ver Abainza, who saw the fight at the Mandalay Bay?s The Hotel, said he gave the fight to Pacquiao, 114-113.
Abainza explained that every judge uses his own evaluation and perspective in scoring, so differences are a normal occurrence.
NOTES: Team Pacquiao arrived here in a 12-vehicle convoy from Las Vegas after a four-hour trip. They took a side trip to the residence of Dr. Allan Recto to join the celebration for his daughter?s birthday… Jinkee Pacquiao, Manny?s wife, was usually accompanied by talent coordinator Bernard Cloma in their stroll around Las Vegas… The Pacquiaos intend to fly home on March 22, arriving on Monday to a grand celebration prepared by GMA 7.
