Manny Pacquiao triumphant over Tim Bradley in retirement fight

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao won what may have been his retirement fight as he dominated American opponent Timothy Bradley in a 116-110, 116-110, 116-110 unanimous decision win on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 37-year-old Pacquiao knocked down his younger foe twice on the way to the big win, which also earned him the WBO International welterweight belt.

It also capped the trilogy between the two fighters, with Pacquiao coming out on top in the last two meetings between them. The Filipino is now 58-6-2 for his boxing career.

The first few rounds started slow as both fighters began the feeling things out.

The action increased around the fifth round, though, as the two exchanged on several occasions. Bradley landed a clean left uppercut and nice hook but Pacquiao had some of quick flurries as well.

After the sixth, the action picked up again as Pacquiao threw some nice opposite hooks, landing a hard right behind Bradley’s ear that had the American touching the mat with his gloves, giving the Filipino the first knockdown of the round.

Manny came out in the eighth round aggressively, showing some of his vaunted hand speed but Bradley was able to take control of the round as he landed some blows that had Pacquiao leaning on the ropes twice.

But Pacquiao had a huge round in the ninth, as he smacked Bradley with a nice left and followed that moments later with a short uppercut that sent his foe tumbling down to the ground for the second knockout.

Bradley was unable to turn the tide in the last rounds as Pacquiao controlled the fight.

Pacquiao had previously announced that this was his farewell fight. He is running for senator in the May 9 Philippine national elections.

source: interaksyon.com

Floyd Mayweather says he’s ready to fight Manny Pacquiao: ‘Let’s do it’

Floyd Mayweather said on Friday that he’s ready for the long-awaited megafight with Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.

In an interview on the Showtime network during a fight card his company was promoting, Mayweather said he was willing to make the fight happen, even suggesting a May 2 date for the bout.

“We are ready. Let’s make it happen. May 2. Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao. Let’s do it,” Mayweather said in the interview.

There has been clamor for the megafight since 2009, but concerns about drug testing and money matters have made the fight seem unlikely to occur.

The undefeated American boxer also said that it was not him that was keeping the much-anticipated fight from happening and pointed at Top Rank promoter Bob Arum instead.

Arum, though, has stated that Mayweather was “smart” and has avoided the fight because Pacquiao poses the biggest threat to his pristine record.

The fight is expected to be the richest fight in boxing history, though Mayweather is expected to demand a much larger purse than Pacquiao in the bout.

Pacquiao has been calling Mayweather out recently, saying he was ready for the fight after his recent win over Chris Algieri and trading barbs with his rival on Instagram and in a Foot Locker commercial.

source: interaksyon.com

Celebs mourn Pacquiao’s KO loss on Twitter

As expected, netizens immediately tweeted their reactions to the shocking knockout defeat of Manny Pacquiao in the hands of arch nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez.

Hash tags like #PacMarquez, #WeStillLoveYouPacquiao and #PacMan became trending topics just minutes after the fight ended in a crushing knockout in the 6th round of the fourth fight between Pacquiao and Marquez in Las Vegas.

Despite the devastating defeat, many of his fans in the country as well as those based on other parts of the world such as Paris Hilton remained in the corner of the legendary multi-titled fighter.

Many celebrities — like former President Joseph Estrada, singer Ogie Alcasid, party list congressman Teddy Casiño and actor Matteo Guidicelli — remained proud of Pacman.

Some like BBC News Anchor Rico Hizon (who is rumored to be joining TV5 soon), politician Gilbert Remulla expressed their admiration for the way the native son of General Santos City handled his defeat.

There were also some like Ruffa Guitierrez, Ruby Rodriguez and Alma Concepcion who were not shy in admitting they cried after seeing Pacquiao down and unconscious for a while.

And then there were others like Agot Isidro, Amy Perez and Gab Valenciano, who tweeted that our Pambansang Kamao has nothing more to prove and should hang up his gloves.

Whatever happens from hereon, Pacquiao can still hold his head up high and be sure that the nation will remain supportive of his endeavors—whether it’s in or out of the boxing ring.

Here are some of the immediate celebrity reactions to the Pacquiao-Marquez 4:

Joseph Estrada @presidenterap
Weather-weather lang yan. We are still proud of you Manny#Pacquiao. #pacmarquez

Ruffa Gutierrez @iloveruffag
Sooooo sad. I’m actually crying. ☹ Can’t stop thinking about Jinkee’s face as she rushed to the ring. #delayedtelecast #delayedreaction

Amy Perez @perezamy
You will always be r hero! Thank you for all the inspiration Manny! It’s time to say goodbye 2 boxing en be der 4 ur family! They need u!

Paris Hilton @parishilton
Wish I was in Vegas to support my friend @MannyPacquiao at his fight tonight! Love him! #TeamPacquiao #Philippines

Rico Hizon @RicoHizon
#MannyPacquiao has made his mark in the hearts & minds of people in & out of the boxing ring. A true champion is magnanimous, win or lose.

Bongbong Marcos @bongbongmarcos
Congratulations to Marquez! The Mexicans have reason to be jubilant. Manny remains holder of most number of weight division titles conquered.

Ogie Alcasid @ogiealcasid
We love you #Pacman! You fought for the Filipino people!

Gary Valenciano @GaryValenciano 1
Manny, although we feel the impact of this loss…let me say, at least for me, you still are a real life hero…I stand with u my bro. This loss doesn’t define who and what u are in the eyes of God.

Sophie Albert @AASophieAlbert
My heart just broke today. Poor Pacman

Alma Concepcion @AlmaConcepcion
I cried #WeStillLoveYouPacquiao

Lucy Torres Gomez @lucytgomez
God’s ways are not our ways.

Aiko S. Melendez @msaikomelendez
In defeat that’s where we learn humility… One class act for Manny.

Star DJ Mr. Fu @mrfu_mayganon
Natalo man, Manny Pacquiao IS Manny Pacquiao. You are the ONE! #pacman #WTFu #mayganon

Karen Davila @Karen_Davila
Manny, you are the best boxer…but perhaps God is telling you – it’s time to stop. Everything has a reason.

Teddy Casiño @teddycasino
Marquez’s single punch victory over Manny Pacquiao was a shocker but that’s how it is in sports – you win some you lose some. I just hope Manny is okay and recovers quickly from his injury. Definitely Manny’s loss will not diminish our high esteem for him as a fighter and colleague in Congress.

Shawn Yao @shawnyao
Finally, an undisputed Marquez!

Melissa Marie Ricks @mellyricks09
I hate how some people think… One failure doesnt make u a loser…its a lesson that just Makes u strive harder to be better..

Agot Isidro @agot_isidro
You are our hero. And you’ve done so much for this country’s pride. But I think it’s time to hang up the gloves. We want you around.

Divine Lee @divinemless
che! marquez ano behhhhh. nawalan ka parin ng ipin. panalo na kami dun. masmaganda parin ang artista smile ni manny #bitter

Bianca Gonzalez @iamsuperbianca
he handled it with grace. we should, too. mabuhay ka #Pacman

Yan Yuzon @yanyuzon
Manny Pacquiao, a true gentleman in victory or in defeat. We can’t win them all. We can only give our best. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.

Isabel Oli @isabelolifee
Sad day. But everything happens for a reason.

Margaux Salcedo @margauxsalcedo
There’s a little black spot on the sun today #PacquiaoMarquez

Ruby Rodriguez @rodriguezruby
I have never shed a tear for a Fight before. This is the first time. I felt the pain of the loss.

LJ Moreno @daredevilchic
That Hurt but I’ll always be a proud #PacMan fan! Still proud of you Manny!

Gabriel Valenciano @gabvalenciano
No more #PacMarquez fights please. Both fighters have proven themselves. Let’s just accept this defeat and move on.

Ria Trillo @riatrillo
#Pacman should have retired 3 fights ago. Hate to see him go out like this.

Angelica Movido @IamAngelMovido
Better plans… I guess Mommy D’s right, time to retire.. But #WeStillLoveYouPacquiao #goodfight

Gilbert C. Remulla @GilbertCRemulla
If anything, I have to say the #Pacman knows how to lose with grace. Accepting, wise and grateful. #WeStillLoveYouPacquiao

Mikee C. Jaworski @mikeecj
That’s sports… But like a true champion, he got up; and he will always be the People’s Champ… Congratulations Marquez #PacMarquez

Pia Magalona @piamagalona
It was so heartwarming to see Manny smiling as he was being intvwd post fight. Very gracious of him!

Zendee Tenerefe @ZendeeOfficial
Nag bell muna bago na K.O si boss Manny… Bakit ganun?

Matteo Guidicelli @mateoguidicelli
Wow. That was heartbreaking…what an intense fight. Hope Manny is okay. You still make us proud. Your still the man pacman! #respect

Jim Paredes @jimparedes
Mas gutom si Marquez.. That is the greatest motivator.

Ping Medina @PingMedina
Time to run. Ikaw pa rin inspiration ko sa training, Manny.

 source: interaksyon.com

Data show Pacquiao dominating punch stats before getting knocked out by Marquez

Before being shocked late in the sixth round, Manny Pacquiao was winning the fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.

Punch stats showed that Pacquiao had the edge in punches connected (94-of-256) compared to Marquez (52-of-246).

The Filipino fight icon also had a major advantage in power shots (68-of-148) over the Mexican (41-of-150).

Pacquiao was also leading all three judges’ scorecards, 47-46, before he walked into a lethal right hand from Marquez that knocked him out cold.

Marquez caught Pacquiao with a right straight in the third round for the fight’s first knockdown. The Filipino battled back to score his own knockdown in the fifth round to turn things around before the fateful ending.

source: interaksyon.com