March 15:
Manny Pacquiao eeked out a split decision in an emotionally stirring 130 pound contest at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. The judges scores were 115-112 for Pacquiao, 115-112 for Marquez, and a deciding 114-113 for Pacquiao. After getting knocked on his butt by a left in round three, Marquez made a point of circling to his left and countering Pacquiao, who still managed to land hard enough to buckle Marquez’s 34-year-old knees on occasion.
Both men sustained cuts, though Marquez’s appeared deeper and bled more. A late fight surge gave Marquez the last two rounds, but Pacquiao’s power early in the fight made the difference.
Almost as entertaining as the fight, was the post fight press conference as the Marquez camp once again moaned incessantly about unfair judging and what they feel is corruption in the system. While boxing’s history is hardly pristine, the constant whining from the brothers Marquez and their camp comes off less like altruistic policing of the sport and more like sour grapes at each successive press conference.
After listening patiently for nearly half an hour, Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, had finally heard enough and blurted, “This is F—–g ridiculous.”
