Fight Night Coverage: Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito

I’ll be back shortly to provide updates.

Fight night weights: 157 for Rios and 148 for Lowther

Rios is in stalking mode, while Lowther circles on the outside. So far Lowther has been getting in single shots and quickly slipping away while Rios follows. Lowther has landed a few little flurries, though Rios just dug in a decent body shot along the ropes. Lowther nicely sticking and moving so far. He’s winning the round with 40 seconds to go with speed and legs. Rios trying to dig downstairs, but Lowther slips away.

Harold has Lowther up 1-0.

Lowther just popped in a body shot, before slipping away to his left. Rios is slow off the mark so far, though that was the story against Peterson as well early. Lowther sticks a hook in, though absorbed a couple hooks to the body. Rios just dug another hook downstairs. Rios just keeps stalking though. He lands a right to the body. A 1-2 upstairs. Now a hook to the body. Rios starting to get cooking here. Lowther backing away. Rios with a hook upstairs that lands. Rios with a jab. Rios with a right. Lowther tries to slip away, but he’s not doing anything offensively to stop the forward progress of Rios. He tries to force a clinch to buy time. Rios just warned for going low. Lowther circling away as Rios follows. He’s popping the occasional single shot in, usually hooks. Lowther keeps moving as Rios follows. Rios bangs home a shot to the body, before Lowther tries to clinch and moves away.

Harold has it 1-1 now, giving the 2nd to Rios.

More of the same here, with Lowther circling on the outside with Rios stalking. Lowther doing okay so far early in the session, getting in a few single shots before moving away, but he just absorbed a hook. He sticks home his own hook, but nothing really bothers Rios. The size difference and power is apparent here. Lowther continues backing away ont he outside, and he just got whacked with a right hand. Rios with a hook. Lowther tries to fight back, but he can’t keep Rios from coming forward. Lowther is starting to back a bit of a steady pounding here over the last minute or so, though he did stick home a nice right hand with seconds to go.

2-1 for Rios on Lederman’s card.

Lowther trying to pick his spots to flurry early in the round, and doing okay, but it’s only keeping him comfortable for very brief periods as Rios just keeps pushing forward, eventually getting into range and banging shots to the body. Lowther just landed a nice left hook, but Rios takes it well and keeps pushing forward. Rios with a 1-2. Rios keeps walking forward. Lowther popping away and moving. He’s doing better this round. He just landed a decent right. Another right form Lowther, though Rios closes to gap and forces him into the corner and lands a right. Lowther lands though and gets out of there. Rios gets him back in the corner and bangs home a right. Lowther fires back and slips away. Rios with another right. Rios just landed a hard body shot. Lowther backs into the corner. Riso with a right, as Lowther slips away again. Rios with a right just before the bell.

3-1 on Harold’s card. There was some talk that Lowther’s corner might stop it, but he’s come out for the 5th. I don’t think that would have been a bad decision as he has no chance to win, is at a huge weight disadvantage and is only going to get beat up as this continues.

He’s doing his best though. Firing combos and moving. He’s outlanding Rios here early in the round, though that’s been the story early in other rounds too. Rios keeps coming forward though. Rios digs a shot to the body, and Lowther backs away. Lowther just absorbed a right, before again slipping away. Rios building up steam again. he’s just pressing forward. Rios wobbles Lowther with a big shot, and Lowther holds on. He’s in full retreat now and Rios presses forward. Rios bangs home another big shot, and another. The ref quickly jumps in and stops this.

I’m a little tired of seeing fighters stepping into the ring 2 weight classes (or 3 in this case) heavier than the class they’re fighting in. Yeah, it’s within the rules… but perhaps the rules need a little adjusting.

Fight night weights: Rigondeaux is 124 and Cordoba 133

Not much happening over the opening minute. Just chatter from the HBO crew. Rigondeaux just landed a decent counter. Cordoba banged home a right. He’s circling on the outside. Action now in the middle of the ring, with both fighters staying at a distance. The Cuban edges forward, trying to let Cordoba make the first move. Cordoba’s not taking any chances though. He just jumped in and there was a near clash of heads, before a clinch. There’s another clinch just before the bell.

Harold has Rigondeaux up 1-0.

Cordoba is pawing with the jab from distance, and just slips away as Rigondeaux tries to fire a right hook. Rigondeaux slowly edging forward, but he’s not really getting into range as Cordoba circles away. Neither man committing to anything so far. Kellerman just commented that Rigondeaux is trying to be too perfect, and Lampley asks what’s going on, “Are both fighters looking to counter.” “yes” answers Steward. That’s the story so far. Neither looking to lead. Rigondeaux just fired a hook that might have partially landed. 1:00 to go in the round. Rigondeaux with the right hand hanging low as he tries to feint Cordoba into leading. Cordoba having none of it, and the crowd starts to boo the lack of action. 10 seconds left in the round. Rigondeaux tries to jump in with a quick 1-2, but misses and there’s the bell.

More of the same here. Two clever southpaws that know their way around a ring, and it’s not making for very good action. Rigondeaux keeps looking for openings, but Cordoba isn’t giving him any. The crowd are not particularly happy about it. Both fighters just missed with lefts. Cordoba fighting on the outside, using the ring, while Rigondeaux very patiently follows. Now he just whistles a straight left right by Cordoba, who just slips out of the way and another round comes to a close.

The fighters have average 34 and 41 punches thrown respectively. Harold has it 3-0 for Rigondeaux, citing him as the effective aggressor.

Cordoba was just dropped by a body shot to the body. He’s up at around 8, but he’s not looking fully recovered as Rigondeaux goes after him. It was a straight right to the body. Cordoba has his legs as he backs away and buys some time. Rigondeaux with a hook. he’s patiently stalking. Now there’s a clinch. Codoba pawing with the jab, but not getting close enough to land. Now he slips under a big hook. Rigondeaux is edging forward, and Cordoba with a little flurry before sliding away. Cordoba staying on the move. He definitely doesn’t want to ever be in range of a counter.

4-0 on the Lederman card.

Rigondeaux moving forward patiently here. Cordoba keeping his distance, flicking out the occasional right jab. Rigondeaux with the right hand low, edging forward, trying to spot openings. There’s a clinch. Rigondeaux in complete control here, though he’s going about matters extremely patiently and it’s not providing much thrills. Cordoba flicks out the jab, and the occasional left, but he’s not committing to his shots. Rigondeaux hasn’t done much this round either to be honest. He just feinted with a jab, but didn’t pull the trigger on a left. He just missed with a left. Not much to speak of as the final seconds of the fifth tick down.

5-0 on Harold’s card.

One bit of news. Margarito is about to have his hands wrapped, with Freddie Roach looking on.

Rigondeaux is starting to up the pace here and forcing the action. He just pressed Cordoba up against the ropes and landed an uppercut. Cordoba just scored a knockdown. That came out of nowhere. Little shot in the inside must have done it, as the Cuban’s knee touched down. Wasn’t hurt though, and we’ll need to see that again. As soon as the actin resumed, Rigondeaux landed a nice left hand. Perhaps Codoba will show a little more aggression now. He’s edging forward, with Rigondeaux taking the role of fighting along the perimiter. Cordoba flicks the jab out. he’s short witha straight left to the body. Now they’re battling for a moment on the inside in the middle of the ring, and there’s the bell.

5-1 on Harold’s card.

A little more action here to start the 7th. Cordoba fighting a little more confidently. He senses that his opponent is not invincible, and he’s edging forward. Rigondeaux should get some more chances to counter as a result. Cordoba has taken the role of aggressor here. Rigondeaux is keeping his distance a little, circling away. He tries to stop and fire a 1-2, but misses. Cordoba keeps moving forward, and the crowd are cheering him on. he lands a jab, and Rigondeaux misses a counter. Cordoba with a little flurry. This is the Panamanian’s round.

What time is the Pacquiao/Margarito fight happening anyway?

Cordoba pushing forward here. Rigondeux looking to counter. Some decent action here… at least much better than earlier in the fight. Cordoba moving forward confidently, and using his jab. “He’s dictating the fight.” – Steward. Rigondeax in reverse, trying to find spots to counter. he’s not really standing his ground and ripping them, like you might expect. He’s flicking the jab out, and moving and only occasionaly trying to stand and fire with anything meaningful. he’s not going to win any fans with this style. Rigondeaux just missed with a 1-2. Now he flicks a jab to the body. Cordoba is unimpressed and keeps edging forward. The action has shifted here, not much being landed but it’s Cordoba forcing matters.

Harold gave the last round to Rigondeaux. he’s given him 7 of the 8. I think Cordoba can make a pretty strong argument for the last two, plus the previous one where he scored the knockdown. Manny agrees with Harold though. I don’t know how you can give the round to a fighter that does nothing but move, and only rarely stops to throw back before running again.

Same story here. Cordoba moving forward, with Rigondeaux figthing in reverse. Now Rigondeaux jumps in with a flurry, not sure any of them landed. Cordoba just landed a body shot. Rigondeaux is just dancing on the outside. Now he lands a left hand, but immediately gets on his bike and heads off. This is not a pleasure to watch. Cordoba edging forward, flicking the jab out, while Rigondeaux keeps moving. Cordoa fires to the body. More movement from Rigondeaux.

7-2 on Lederman’s card.

More of the same here. Cordoba moving forward, trying to jab his way in. Rigondeaux moving and moving, while rarely stopping to fire off a shot. Harold was defending his score in the 7th and 8th, saying that Cordoba was not letting his hands go enough. True, but neither was Rigondeaux. This isn’t very much fun to watch. Rigondeaux just won’t sit still. he did just land a counter though. But he’s on the move again.

We have to sit through 2 more rounds of this. Cordoba was involved in one of the best fight in recent years against Bernard Dunne last year, and now this. This is quite awful, and I’d put the blame at this stage on Rigondeaux.

I’m going to get a snack. I’ll be back for the 12th, and I’m quite certain I won’t miss anything.

3 minutes to go. Harold gave the 11th to Cordoba.

Action (if you can call it that) is in the middle of the ring. Almost a nice exchange as both just let their hand go at the same time, but I don’t think either landed. Rigondeaux just tried to jump in with a combo. Now he’s back at a distance. Cordoba edgng forward, though not really letting his hands go. Potentially this fight could maybe be on the table, so Cordoba would be better served going for broke here. 1:30 to go. There’s a clinch. Riongdeaux circling and not intent on engaging. This is not fun at all. Cordoba following and not throwing, while Rigondeaux moving and not throwing. 30 seconds left. Cordoba bangs to the body and Rigondeaux dances away. Nothing from Rigondeaux at the end. Thankfully, that’s over.

Harold gave the 12th to Cordoba. His score is 115-111.

114-112 Cordoba
117-111 Rigondeaux
114-112 Rigondeaux

Fight night weights: Jones is 155 and Soto Karass is 162.

I missed the opening couple minutes. Steward likes what he’s seen from Jones, though he says he appears a little hyper. Jones just landed a nice combo before the bell. Reportedly there is a dispute between Pacquiao and Margarito’s teams right now.

Soto Karass moving forward… slowly. Jones having no troubles picking off his face forward style. Jones boxing on the outside here, keepng his guard up. Jones just landed a series of nice right hands. He’s just wobbled Karass, who is struggling along the ropes. Jones is opening up, wailing away with Karass trying to fight back along the ropes. He might punch himself out at this rate. he’s now looking a little tired, as he falls into Karass and there’s a clinch. Jones is tired and now backs up. he’s punches himself out and is now on the receiving end of a comeback here by Karass at the end of the round.

What’s the issue here with the hand-wrapping? I can barely hear it.

Yeah Jones looks tired.

Jones might be advised to really pace himself after that crazy flurry in the second round. he’s looking kind of tired right now. Soto Karass having some success here early in the round, going after a tired Mike Jones. Jones now leaning on the ropes looking to counter. That was crazy stuff in the 2nd by Jones. He unloaded with a ton of power punches for almsot a minute straight, and just hasn’t recovered. He would have been better served to place his shots, and now he’s really struggling. Karass is now pushing forward and having success, with Jones still looking tired and laboring along the ropes. Karass is bleeding from both eyes, but Jones is just not looking good at all. He’s exhausted. 20 seconds to go in the round. Karass keeps walking forward. he bangs a flurry to the body. he’s dominating this round. There’s the bell, and Karass fires a late shot after it rings.

Jones is in retreat, still not looking too good. Karass is plowing forward. Not very precise, but he’s effective. Jones is battling back, but he’s in constant retreat. he’s using the ropes to lay back and rest on. But the edge he had over the first 6 minutes is gone. Karass keeping moving forward, with his head down, winging shots. Jones is jsut too tired though to counter all that effectively. he’s winging shots himself when he opens up, though he is using his jab now and then. Karass just banged home a right, and an uppercut.

Harold has it 2-2.

Karass plowing forward as he’s been doing all night. Jones not looking comfortable boxing in retreat along the ropes. He’s just too ragged to precisely pick his shots. The HBO crew just commented on Jones not looking all that steady. Karass just keeping forcing the issue. He’s bleeding from both eyes, but he’s fresher and stronger. Jones is just at sea really. he’s getting banged away upstairs and downstairs, and he’s not looking like he can possibly turn it around.

Max is reporting on the issue. Fighters are only allowed to drink water in Texas.

Jones has 5 more rounds to struggle through.

According to Lampley, the stuff that was poured into Margarito’s cup was splenda.

Karass keeps banging away. Jones continues to look uncomfortable. What was expected to be an easy win for the up and coming Philly fighter is looking like anything but that at this stage. Jones trying to fight back, but he’s getting outworked and doesn’t look to have much on his shots. Now he fires a 1-2. The crew feels he’s got his second wind. Maybe a little. He’s still far from fresh. He’s using the ropes to rest on. He’s backing up constantly. Karass is tired as well, and isn’t fighting with the same pace as previous rounds which is definitely helping Jones.

Harold has it 4-2 now for Soto Karass.

Jones still fighting in retreat. He just absorbed a hard hook to the body. He’s trying to work the jab now and get some distance. he just landed a decent right as well. Karass keeps coming forward, but his pace has slowed, and now he just ate a 1-2 from Jones. Jones with a nice left. Jones with a right. Much better stuff from Jones. Karass has slowed down and Jones has recovered a little bit. Now Jones backs up into the ropes and Karass bangs away to the body, before Jones slips away. karass keeps following. Karass with a right hand. Jones with a jab. Jones with a left. Better stuff this round from Jones. Karass is a bloody fighter, and a tired one. Jones is very tired too, and he’s now again looked rather ragged as Karass goes after him. Karass with a nice flurry, with Jones along the ropes. Jones gets out of there.

I hope this doesn’t affect the fight. Margs seems to be a lightning rod for controversy in recent years.

5-2 for Karass on Harold’s card.

Karass keeps coming forward. Not with the same intensity as earlier, but he’s steady. Jones backing up, looking for spots to land… and rest. Jones in retreat, leaning on the ropes. He made a nice little stand earlier in the 7th, but hasn’t picked up that same spark again here in the 8th. He’s landing the occasional shot though. Real gutsy stuff from both fighters. Jones trying to flurry, but he eats a right hand with his back to the ropes. Jones is fighting with an empty tank, but gamely battling. Karass leaning forward, head down, marching forward, banging shots downstairs. There’s the bell.

Harold has it 5-3 now.

Both fighters are VERY tired. Jones standing his ground more to start the round and bangs home a 1-2. he sticks home a jab. Karass wings a hook. The ref has taken Karass over to the doctor to check out his eyes. The doctor gave him the all clear. They are back at it. Jones in retreat, with the guard up, now leaning on the ropes. Now he’s back in the middle of the ring, and he fires home a nice combo. Jones looking stronger now. he bangs home another right hand. Karass isn’t pushing forward as steadily right now. he’s looking sluggish. He keeps coming though and wings a couple shots downstairs. Jones gets home a jab, and a right. Jones throwing tired looking punches, but they’re landing. Jones has now looking more comfortable. He’s outpunching Karass here. There’s the bell.

This has been a messy, but entertaining scrap. Gutsy stuff from both men.

5-4 on Harold’s card for Soto Karass.

Jones whacks him with a nice uppercut. Jones has a bit of pep in his legs here. Karass pushes forward, with the guard up. He wings a couple shots, but misses. Jones now peppering Karass in close. Jones with a right hand. Jones better be careful he doesn’t overdo it here. Now he goes back into retreat. Karass wings to the body. Karass pawing with the jab, as he chases Jones into the ropes. Jones is in retreat here. he’s struggling once more. Now he lands a right. Both fighters really spent here. Karass trying to work the body with Jones on the ropes. Jones lands a nice hook off the ropes. That caught Karass clean. Jones witha 1-2. Action in the middle of the ring. 40 seconds to go. Karass digs to the body. Karass trying to force the issue, but Jones slides away. Karass trying to push forward here, and he lands a right hand. Jones flurries back though. Both fighters letting their hands go as the round ends.

Well, this definitely made up for the last fight.

Harold had it 5-5.

94-94
95-94
97-93

The winner by majority decision… Mike Jones.

The anthems have just started, so that’s a good sign that action will be on the way.

This is a nice touch. I approve.

Bayang magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan…. :)

Is this a concert, or a fight? Bring back the cheerleaders!

Fight night weights: Manny is 148 and Margarito is 165.

Did you guys watch the most recent 24/7 on HBO?

Glen Crocker, Juergen Langos and Oren Shellenberger are the judges. The ref is Laurence Cole.

Cole with the final instructions. We’re ready to go.

Pac is throwing to the body a lot. Margs is tentative at first. Pac is opening up, seeing a slower guy in front of him. Margs throws a few good jabs. Pac is much faster. They’re at the center of the ring. Pac throws off his jabs. Margs is one at a time. Definite size differential.

Pacquiao 10-9

Here we go….

Huge buzz in the building. Margarito with the gloves up, edging forward behind the jab. Pac flicks a jab out. Action in the middle of the ring. Marg hasn’t pushed forward yet, taking his time. he’s just firing the jab so far. Manny fires off a left hand. Max comments on Marg’s jab. manny tries to counter with a straight left to the body. Manny bangs home a straight left. he really looks tiny compared to Margarito. he flicks out another jab. 1:30 to go. Marg is short with a straight right. Manny bangs him with a left hand. Manny eats a jab. Manny is just short with a jab, but fires a left in. Action still in the middle of the ring. Manny with a jab. Margarito witht he gloves up really high, but he opens himself up to throw and Manny tags him with a counter. Manny bangs home a straight left. Manny with a jab. Manny landing the quality so far. Manny with a little right hook just before the bell.

Manny just cracked Margarito with a nice right hook. Margarito tries to respond, but he misses. He looks VERY slow in comparison to Manny here. He’s landing jabs though. Manny landing all the power shots. Manny bangs Margarito with a combo. Now he digs to the body with a left. Margarito with a 1-2, and now goes after Manny and Manny bangs his gloves together goes right back after Margarito. Margarito needs to do more of that. Needs to push Manny back and try and bang that body. But the action is now back in the middle of the ring which suits Manny. Manny with a nice combo, though Margarito landed a right. Now Manny with a 1-2, and drills Mararito with a right hook. Manny with a jab. Margrito firing the jab. Marg keeps flicking that jab out. Manny cracks him with a counter left. Margarito with a jab. Pac with a nie combo. There’s the bell. Another good round for Manny, though there were a few positive for Margarito.

Wow, Margarito with the uppercut!

Harold has it 2-0 for Manny.

Manny circlingto his left, and then stopping and popping. Margarito with the gloves up, looking to jab. Manny beats him to the punch though. Margarito following, and missing with a right and eats a straight left. Manny bangs home another straight left. Margarito tries to counter, but Manny gets out of there. Now there’s a clinch. Margarito needs to start making this a little messy. he’s not doing well in the middle of the ring. Manny beats him to the punch again with a straight left. Marg flicking the jab out. Margarito tries to bully Manny along the ropes, and got an uppercut in, but then was nailed by a Pac left. Manny fought very well off the ropes there. Manny with a combo that was a little short. Margarito keeps sticking to the jab though. He lands a right hand. Manny with a hook. Margarito with a jab. manny with a combo, but Marg responds with a right. Manny jumps in with a very nice flurry. There’s the bell.

Margs is slowing down on his output. Seventeen punches that round.

Pacquiao 30-27

Harold has is 3-0.

Manny circling to his left, as margarito follows to start the round. Manny beating Margarito to the punch here. But now margarito showing some urgency, tries to force the issue and press manny into the ropes, only for Manny to slide away to his right. Manny with a right. Margarito gloves up, lands a jab, as he pushed forward, but he eats a combo for his trouble. Manny with another combo. Manny just WAY faster. Margarito keeps coming though, but he can’t get Manny where he wants. Margarito just ate a big combo. Margarito is looking unsteady. Manny just drilled him again. Margarito’s legs don’t look all that good here. Manny rips him again. Margarito eating shots here. He’s not throwing now, not even jabbing, just keeping the gloves up. Now he tries to engage again, and fired off a 1-2 and tried to push Manny back. Manny slips away though. There’s the bell.

4-0.

Manny just can’t miss. Margarito trying to work the jab here to start the 5th. He’s getting tagged again though. Now Margarito manages to work manny into the ropes and work the body, but Manny slips out of trouble and bangs him back with a combo. Margarito with a jab, but Manny counters with a nice right hook. Margarito just short with a right to the body. Marg trying to work his way into the range with the jab, but he just gets tagged with counters. Margarito’s right eye looks bad. It’s swelling, and he’s getting tagged over and over. Manny with a straight left. Margarito comes forward, works the jab and tries to bang the body. Margarito had Manny on the ropes for a second, but Manny slips away and bangs him. Pac with a 1-2. Pac jabs and slips away. Pac in complete control, doing what he pleases. margarito can only manage to land with the jab. Manny rips him with a left. Now a right. There’s the bell. This is a rout.

5-0.

Margarito comes out edging forward, throwing the jab behind a high guard. Manny circling to his left. Stops and sticks home a 1-2. margarito tries to respond, but manny back away comfortable. Manny sticks home a left. Manny with another left. Manny dancing around here, picking his spots and peppering Margarito. Margarito keeps coming, and eats a combo. Manny dances away. Manny with a left. Margarito tries to flurry back, but can’t get into range. Margarito manages to get in a little 1-2 on the inside, but Manny immediately responds with his own combo. Manny with a straight left. Just an expert performance from Pacquiao here. Margarito short with a right. Manny with a combo. Magarito managed to get through with a couple shots, and he forces Manny back. margarito having a good little sequence. He pushes Manny into the ropes and tries to flurry, before Pac eventually gets out of there. Margarito’s best sequence in a while. There’s the bell.

Harold has is 6-0.

The crew thinks the 6th was tight. It was closer than previous rounds, but I’m not sure it was really all that close.

Margarito pressing forward, trying to work the jab. Manny is circling away. Margarito trying to force the issue, but Manny dances away. Now Manny bangs home a combo. Margarito keeps coming forward, but he’s eating shots. Manny sticks home a left. Margarito tries to go downstairs, and then lands a right. Decent shot there. Manny bangs home a left. manny with a nice combo. Margarito keeps following, and keeps jabbing. Now he gets Manny along the ropes and tries to work the body, but Manny fires back and slips away. Now Manny with a combo. Manny with a left. Manny with a nice counter. Manny with another good combo. Margarito keeps moving forward, but eats a few more shots. Now he forces Manny into the ropes. He lands a jab, only to eat a couple rights in return. There’s the bell.

It’s swollen and closing.

7-0

Margarito comes forward throwing the jab. Manny circling away to his left. pac looking comfortable as he moves on the outside. margarito tries to get into range, but manny pops him and dances away. Margarito following Manny here, trying to get close and now manages to force manny into the ropes. He bangs downstairs. Manny fires back. Margarito tries to flurry to the body, and Manny again fires back and turns Margarito around and fires another combo. Manny with another combo. Margarito keeps coming through. he forces Manny back again, but Manny pops in a shot before slipping away. Manny with a combo, but Margarito flurries back and pushes Manny into the ropes. Margarito bangs away with a couple lefts to the body in close with Manny along the ropes. Manny gets out of there though. Margarito fires a 1-2, and again pushes Manny intot he ropes. Manny turns the tables thoguh and fires home a 1-2. Margarito fires back though, and there’s a terrific exchange along the ropes. Exciting stuff there to close the round.

8-0

Margarito keeps coming forward. No quit in him at all. He’s coming forward with purpose and making Manny really work. Manny circling away to his left. Manny is on the move here. Margarito keeps coming. Manny stops and sticks home a left. Margarito flicking out the jab now. Manny now stopping and engaging nearly as much here. Pac sticks home a left. Manny with a combo. Margarito keeps moving forward though. Manny sticking and moving, and staying at range here. Margarito flicking the jab, and trying to get into range. Pac going side to side. Pac slips a right and dances away. Pac with a right hook. Margarito comes forward and tries to flurry, but Manny dances away. Manny on the move this round. There’s the bell.

What’s left to be said? Pacquiao is an animal. Move, move, move, punch, punch, punch. Absolute beast.

Pacquiao 90-81

That’s a really close up shot of Margarito’s eye.

9-0

Cole called a quick time-out to start the round and asks Margarito how many fingers he’s holding up. With the question answered correctly, the fight resumes. Margarito resumes his forward march, as Manny circles away. Manny whacks home a right hook. Margarito follows and eats a combo. Margarito tries to get Manny into ropes, but he can’t keep him there and Manny spins around and drills him. Manny’s feet are just too quick. Now he fires home a combo and dances away. Margarito tries to push forward and bang the body. Manny responds witha quick combo. Now Margarito fores Manny back and tries to flurry. Manny drills him with a counter. Margarito with the gloves up, keeps marching forward. he had Manny on the ropes for an instant, but Manny fired home a shot and slipped away. Manny now drills Margarito and looks to have hurt him. Manny unloading. Manny with a very strong sequence over the final 20-30 seconds of the round. There’s the bell with Margarito looking a little shaky.

Margarito with the gloves up resumes his pursuit. Manny very comfortably circling, before stopping and popping home quick shots. Margarito keeps pressing forward. He’s getting tagged with counters though. Manny with a clean 1-2. Manny with a straight left. Margarito tries to fire a right hand, but is short. Manny unloads with another 1-2. Manny is looking over at Cole, wondering what the ref needs to stop this. Manny unloads with another combo. Margarito is taking a beating here. Margarito keeps coming forward. Now Cole calls time to ask if he can see. He can and the action resumes. Kellerman points out the issue is not Margarito’s eye, it’s his brain. He’s taking a ton of punishment. He’s still firing the jab, but he’s getting banged back. Now he forces Manny into the ropes, and there’s a clinch. The action slows in the middle of the ring with another clinch. Margarito misses with a right. Manny tags him with a counter. Manny lands another combo. There’s the bell. There’s no real point in this continuing. It’s a shut-out and the losing fighter is taking a beating.

11-0.

This is an absolute battering. Margarito is as game as they come. He keeps coming forward. He eats a jab. He keeps throwing his own jab out though. Manny with a right hook. Manny with a left. Lampley comments that Pacquiao doesn’t seem to want to keep hitting Margarito. Manny with a 1-2 through the guard. “There’s no question Pacquiao is pulling his punches now.” – Lampley. Manny with a jab. Margarito keeps following. He tries to fire a 1-2, but is short. Manny just circling away now. He appears content to let Margarito finish the fight. Now he whacks home a left hand, and dances away. Manny with a little hook on the inside. 1:00 to go. Action in the middle ring. Margarito flicking out the jab. Manny with a 1-2. Now Manny with a hook. 30 seconds to go. Margarito flicks out a couple jabs. Manny with a counter. 10 seconds to go. Margarito short with a right to the body. Margarito short with a right hand. There’s the bell.

andddddd Manny Pacquiao the congressman wins!

120-108
118-110
119-109

The winner by unanimous decision… Manny Pacquiao.

Manny admits that Margarito did manage to hurt him.

As for Manny’s 12th round performance where he appeared to ease up, he was following Roach’s instructions.

Regarding the future. Yes, he’s going to keep fighting.

Thanks to everyone that followed along.

http://www.youtube.com/user/HBO#p/u/63/3DJcsnAvCNQ

Sorry it’s 2 days late! I’ve been AFK. Enjoy :)