Round-by-round coverage, scoring and punch stats of the November 12, 2011 third fight between
Manny Pacquiao and
Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas, Nevada.
All three national anthems are complete. Marquez is in the ring. Pacquiao enters the ring to a live rendition of "Eye of the Tiger". Both men look relaxed and ready for battle.
Round One: Uneventful round with both fighters feeling each other out. The few punches that did land were thrown by Pacquiao. Pacquiao 10-9
Round Two: Another tactical round but with a few more punches thrown. Marquez is looking to counter Pacquiao and has a bit of success. Marquez 10-9
Round Three: At 38, Marquez' balance doesn't look great ... but he knows how to fight Pacquiao. Marquez is winning most of the round but Pacquiao lands a couple of hard shots in the last 30 seconds. Even 10-10
Round Four: The action is heating up with Pacquiao as the aggressor. Pacquiao looks faster and stronger but it's still another close round. Pacquiao 10-9
Round Five: Very good round for Marquez, who lands the best punches of the fight so far - a straight right to the face of Pacquiao. Pacquiao tries to respond but doesn't land anything meaningful. Marquez 10-9
Round Six: Good action round. Going to be another difficult fight to score. Will the judges prefer the aggressor (Pacquiao) or the effective counterpuncher (Marquez)? Pacquiao edges Marquez this round based on activity. Pacquiao 10-9
Round Seven: Jim Lampley keeps talking about Pacquiao's footwork but Marquez is landing the harder punches. Pacquiao appears to be bleeding from the mouth. Marquez 10-9
Round Eight: Pacquiao looks fresher but isn't land anything clean. Marquez continues to counter effectively and land the biggest blows. Marquez 10-9
Round Nine: Pacquiao is busier but Marquez is sharper. Pacquiao may need to score a knockdown at some point ... or hope Marquez fades down the stretch. Very close round. Even 10-10
Round Ten: An accidental clash of heads opens a cut over the right eye of Pacquiao. Marquez does well early in the round but is quiet late. Pacquiao is bleeding and the cut could be a problem. Pacquaio 10-9
Round Eleven: Marquez is being told in his corner that he is comfortably ahead in the fight. This is another close fight and there's no telling how the judges will score it. Pacquiao is busier but ineffective. Marquez 10-9
Round Twelve: Marquez fought the final round as if he already won the fight. Pacquiao loses his mouthpiece for no apparent reason and looks frustrated. Oddly uneventful 12th round for such a close fight. Pacquaio 10-9
Unofficial score: 115-115 a draw.
Official scores: Majority decision for Pacquiao: Robert Hoyle - 114-114; Dave Moretti 115-113 Pacquiao; Glenn Trowbridge - 116-112 Pacquiao.
Punch Stats:
Total Punches: Pacquiao - 176 of 578 (30%); Marquez - 138 of 436 (32%)
Power Shots: Pacquiao - 117 of 274 (43%); Marquez - 100 of 254 (39%)
Jabs: Pacquiao - 59 of 304 (19%); Marquez - 38 of 182 (21%)
Post-Fight: Marquez leaves the ring before the post-fight interviews. A subdued Pacquiao seems disappointed by the boos from the pro-Marquez portion of the crowd that disagrees with the decision. Pacquiao feels he won the fight clearly but would fight Marquez again "anytime, anytime". Pacquiao says "let's get it on" when asked about the possibility of finally facing Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May 2012.
Max Kellerman catches up with Marquez in his dressing room and - as expected - both Marquez and trainer Nacho Beristain feel as if they were robbed. Neither admits to having any regrets over fighting as if they were protecting a lead in the final rounds of the fight ... even though it proved to be a tactical disaster. Marquez says he may consider retirement and is not sure if he'd want a fourth fight with Pacquiao.
What's Next: Hopefully Pacquiao-Mayweather in May. Pacquiao's difficulties with Marquez, who Mayweather nearly shut out, should convince Mayweather to finally take the fight. Based on tonight's bout, Mayweather should be favored to win by decision ... perhaps by a wide margin.
Pacquiao-Marquez III was close and competitive ... and - once again - the decision could have gone either way. It was a good fight ... but it was not a great fight ... and there's no reason to do it a fourth time.
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