by Chinwe Okafor

This is the biggest fight after Muhammed Ali-Joe Frazier trilogy but according to critics, not as great. One thing they found great though, is that they made a good bet on Mayweather and it was worth every cent.

Mayweather used his four-inch reach advantage to score quick points with jabs, and his defensive shoulder roll to avoid getting hurt on the inside thereby outpointing Manny Pacquiao in a 12 round decision for the World Welterweight Championship tonight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Mayweather, 38 years old, remains perfect–48-0 with 26 KOs. The 36 year old Pacquiao fell to 57-6-2 with 38 KOs.

 

How it went down:

In the first round the two spent most of the time in the middle of the ring exchanging jabs, though Mayweather landed two solid overhand rights to win the round in my opinion.

In the second, Pacquiao was more aggressive, backing Mayweather against the ropes a few times and landing a overhand left to the head. May weather grabbing Pacquiao around the waist a couple of times in middle of the ring. Crowd chanting Manny! Manny! Probably an even round.

Third round seemed even too, with each fighter landing one solid punch to the face his opponent. Lots of holding by Mayweather.

Fourth round a big one for Pacquiao. Landed three clean shots to Mayweather’s head and had him pinned on the ropes for several seconds. Seemed like Pacquiao was gaining some confidence.

Mayweather came to life in the fifth round and hit Pacquiao with four or five clean shots to body and and face. Pacquiao inactive. Couldn’t get inside. Big round for Mayweather.

Thought Pacquiao had a slight advantage in the sixth, pinning Mayweather against the ropes for several seconds and throwing a flurry of punches with a few of them landing on the body. Mayweather just shakes his head no.

The seventh round very even, fought almost entirely in the middle of the ring. Mayweather got in some good jabs and prevented Pacquiao from charging in close. Round to Mayweather.

The eighth was boring. Few punches, most landed by Mayweather but of the pitter patter variety. Probably got him the round, thought.

The ninth round belonged to Mayweather as he again keep the fight in the middle of the ring mostly, and even backed Pacquiao up a couple of times, mostly with his jab but once with a straight right to the face of Pacquiao. Mayweather’s round.

A boring 10th round with few punches thrown by either fighter. Pacquiao now seems to be chasing Mayweather, unable to get close enough to score either in the center of the ring or closer to the ropes. Round probably to Mayweather.

The 11th clearly belonged to Mayweather. He seems much quicker at this point in the fight. Hit Pacquiao with a right uppercut that didn’t slow down Pacquiao but was his perhaps his hardest punch of the fight. Pacquiao keeps has bee charging straight Mayweather all night and Mayweather much too quick at this point. Again, not much action from either fighter but round to Mayweather.

Mayweather ran entire 12th and Pacquiao couldn’t catch him often and when he did Mayweather popped him with his jab. Not much action. Round to Mayweather.

Mayweather via unanimous votes by the judges.