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Live blog: Manny Pacquiao scores controversial majority decision against Juan Manual Marquez

Talks quickly turn post-fight to a potential mega showdown in May with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao Jube

Sam Morris

Manny Pacquiao celebrates his majority decision against Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011.

Updated Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011 | 9:49 p.m.

Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez Weigh-In at MGM Grand

Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez's weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Nov. 11, 2011. Launch slideshow »

Pacquiao to fight Marquez Saturday

KSNV coverage of upcoming boxing match Saturday between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez Nov. 9, 2011.

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Manny Pacquiao won for the 15th straight time Saturday night, earning a controversial majority decision against Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to retain his WBO welterweight title.

Judge Glenn Trowbridge scored the fight 116-112 in favor of Pacquiao, Dave Moretti had it 115-113 for Pacquiao and Robert Hoyle called it a draw, 114-all.

When ring announcer Michael Buffer announced the decision, the capacity crowd of roughly 16,000 fans immediately showed their disapproval with a chorus of boos.

Pacquiao had steamrolled through virtually everyone he'd fought, but has always struggled with the veteran Marquez. Marquez has three times given Pacquiao everything he could handle, but each time, has come up short on the scorecards.

In 2004, Pacquiao floored Marquez three times in the first round, then proceeded to arguably lose 10 of the next 11 rounds with the fight being scored a draw. Four years later, Pacquiao also struggled against Marquez, but escaped with a close decision some felt should have gone to Marquez.

“This has been a robbery, a robbery of the utmost,” Marquez said of tonight’s fight.

Pacquiao won the fight in the later rounds with his aggressive style, knowing he was likely behind and needing to make an impact in the judges’ eyes. While Pacquiao was quick and searching for contact late, Marquez was content to avoid getting knocked out — a plan that backfired.

Pacquiao threw 142 more punches and landed 38 more. But Marquez’s counter-punch was lethal all night, and the former three-division champion landed the most significant punches of the night.

Now that Pacquiao has again survived Marquez, talks have quickly turned to a potential showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather made news early in the month by booking the MGM for the first weekend in May, with several assuming it was to fight Pacquiao.

Asked about Mayweather in the ring after the fight, Pacquiao said he was ready to make the fight happen. But, as we’ve learned the past two years, getting the two stars in the ring is easier said the done.

Check back later for more coverage on this fight.

Fight too close to call between Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez going into final two rounds

Juan Manuel Marquez is landing the more significant punches through 10 rounds against Manny Pacquiao here at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, but Pacquiao has been more active and is landing more overall punches.

Two things are obvious as we head into the final two rounds of the WBO welterweight fight: First, this is clearly the fight of the year, and second, several are going to be disappointed with the decision. Security guards inside the arena are already preparing for a likely displeased crowd.

You could easily make arguments for both, and it appears both corners feel they are ahead.

Pacquiao, who is riding a 14-fight winning streak and is one of boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighters, suffered a cut above his right eye in the ninth round and is also bleeding from his mouth.

Marquez is also banged up with cuts obvious on his face. Marquez needs to go for broke down the stretch — the most aggressive fighter is going to win this thing.

Just think, Marquez was an 8-to-1 underdog. Sports book directors are also likely worried.

Juan Manuel Marquez giving Manny Pacquiao all he can handle through eight rounds

Folks, buckle your seat belts.

We should be in for a great finish at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, with Juan Manuel Marquez doing the unthinkable in battling Manny Pacquiao punch for punch for the WBO welterweight title. This is clearly a step up in competition for Pacquiao, who arguably hasn’t been challenged since his 2008 fight against Marquez.

Marquez is a former three-division champion, but wasn’t supposed to be much of a challenge. Especially being 38 years old.

But through eight rounds, several have Marquez ahead. He’s landing the more significant punches and is much more active — a key for earning a decision.

Remember, the first two times they have fought, Marquez thought he did enough to win, too.

WBO welterweight fight likely even after six rounds between Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez

We’ve reached the halfway point of the WBO welterweight title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden, and it’s safe to say the third meeting between the two is going to come down to the wire.

They have clearly picked up where they left off from the last two fights — in 2004 they fought to a draw, and in 2008 Pacquiao won a close and controversial decision.

Marquez entered as an 8-to-1 underdog, but surely hasn't looked like it. He is as active as Pacquiao and is definitely creating a buzz in the arena. It’s easy to start feeling that an upset could be in the works.

The fight is likely even, with Marquez being the aggressor in the fifth and sixth rounds. I have never seen Pacquiao be challenged. This should be a fun finish.

Manny Pacquiao not dominating, but doing enough against Juan Manuel Marquez

Manny Pacquiao has created some separation against Juan Manuel Marquez in the fourth round of their WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM.

Pacquiao is more comfortable fighting at 144 pounds and appears to be much quicker, while Marquez appears to be a step slower from their initial two meetings. The first, in 2004, was at 130 pounds.

Each round has been close, but Pacquiao has been a little better and seems to land one or two more punches. I have him up 3-1.

Manny Pacquiao lands solid right to end third round of WBO welterweight title fight

Manny Pacquiao has the best punch of the WBO welterweight title fight in the third round, connecting to Juan Manuel Marquez’s face with a solid right near the end of the third round.

Both fighters landed 10 punches in the third round, but the powerful right by Pacquiao should have given him the third round and a 2-1 advantage.

Neither fighter is doing much to win the fight, which unexpectedly lacks action. This was supposed to be a slugfest, and thus far, there has been very little to get excited about.

Credit to Marquez’s fans. They have been loud and vocal the entire fight.

Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez likely even after two uneventful rounds

Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez have each been patient through the initial two rounds of their WBO welterweight title fight Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden.

Neither fighter has landed many significant punches, opting to try to get a feel for the fight. One thing, however, is certain: Pacquiao, unlike most of his fights in his 14-fight winning streak, will be challenged.

Marquez has twice proven he can hang with Pacquiao and there is no questioning his talents. The fight, at least through two rounds, appears even. I’ve given the first round to Pacquiao; the second to Marquez.

Manny Pacquiao starts slow in defense of WBO title against Juan Manuel Marquez

Unlike his first two previous fights against Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao has elected to take a slower-paced approach tonight in the third meeting between two welterweights.

There wasn’t much action in the first round, but Pacquiao was able to land a few lefts to likely win the round in defense of his WBO title. Pacquiao threw just 38 punches in the first round, only landing 11.

In the first meeting between the two in 2004, Pacquiao knocked Marquez down three times, but had to hang on to win.

Expect the pace to pick up the rest of the night. Give Pacquiao credit for taking a slow approach and getting a feel for his opponent.

Prefight

There is really no argument on this local sports theory.

When it comes to boxing matches in Las Vegas, the only two fighters to move the radar of fan interest are Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Boxing promoters will surely argue otherwise, but the proof is evident tonight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena where the immensely popular Pacquiao is taking on Juan Manuel Marquez for the third time.

The fight, at least according to oddsmakers who have Pacquiao as an 8-to-1 favorite, shouldn’t be highly contested. But, in a true testament to Pacquiao’s following, the arena is packed to its near 16,000-fan capacity and the casino is buzzing with excitement.

The 12-round welterweight is for Pacquiao’s WBO title, with Marquez anxious to avenge two previously close defeats to Pacquiao where he arguably should have won the decision.

While Marquez is far from a slouch — he’s a three-division champion and Pacquiao’s toughest opponent since 2008 when he sent Oscar De La Hoya into retirement — he’s 38-years-old and clearly not the fighter that gave Pacquiao two great challenges.

Pacquiao enters on a 14-fight winning streak, having not lost since 2005 when he was fighting in the 130-pound division. He’s knocked Marquez down four times in their two fights and is expected to come out swinging.

While the crowd isn’t supposed to be pro-Pacquiao, it’s not that way early — there are a ton of Marquez fans, and they are vocal.

Several expect this one to end early. I’ll keep everyone posted from ringside.

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