Manny Pacquiao reclaims WBO welterweight title with win over Jessie Vargas

Filipino star Manny Pacquiao reclaimed the World Boxing Organization welterweight title for the third time with a unanimous decision victory over former champion Jesse Vargas in his comeback fight on Saturday.

The 37-year-old Pacquiao, who announced his retirement seven months ago after beating Timothy Bradley, knocked Vargas down in the second round en route to a decisive victory at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Pacquiao, 59-6 with two drawn and 38 knockouts, showed he still has a lot left in the tank but failed to get the knockout victory that has eluded him for the past seven years.

All three judges scored the bout for Pacquiao, two of them by 118-109 and the other by 114-113.

Pacquiao won the WBO title for the first time in 2010 when he beat Miguel Cotto. He lost it two years later to Bradley, then got it back by winning the rematch with Bradley in 2014. He then lost it last year to the now-retired Floyd Mayweather, who had a front row seat for Saturday’s bout.

Pacquiao took time off to concentrate on his job as a newly elected politician in the Philippine Senate. After serving his first stint as a rookie senator, he says the fire was rekindled and the stage set for a return to boxing.

Pacquiao said he was retiring following his April 9 two-knockdown victory over Bradley in their third fight.

Pacquiao looked impressive in stopping Bradley, showing that he has recovered from a shoulder injury which hampered him in his fight against Mayweather in May 2015.

Both fighters felt each other out as very few punches were thrown in the first round.

Pacquiao was the quicker of the two to size up the opponent as the Filipino southpaw learned early on that he could counter Vargas’ left jab with a right to the face.

That’s what happened in the second round when Pacquiao connected on a counterpunch that sent Vargas stumbling backwards and onto the canvas.

source: interaksyon.com

Palace praises triumphant Manny Pacquiao for inspiring Filipinos

Malacañang on Sunday congratulated Manny Pacquiao for his latest victory over Chris Algieri, describing the Filipino boxing champion as a “worthy role model and wellspring of inspiration” to his countrymen.

“We join the Filipino nation in celebrating the triumph of Congressman Manny Pacquiao over Chris Algieri in Macau,” Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said in a statement.



“He is a worthy role model and wellspring of inspiration to all Filipinos who are striving to improve their well-being and attain a prosperous future.”

Pacquiao was simply dominant over Algieri, scoring six knockdowns en route to a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten American fighter.

“Strength, grit, and courage were written all over his face and demeanor throughout the fight. With every punch that scored, millions of Filipinos cheered him to victory from all corners of the country and the world,” the statement added.

“Congressman Manny Pacquiao embodies and personifies the Filipinos’ outstanding qualities – audacious, tenacious and conscientious – persevering in advancing a worthy cause, and unwavering even in the face of danger and adversity.”

Vice President Jejomar Binay also hailed Pacquiao, who beat Algieri’s height and youth edge by displaying one of his finest performances inside the ring.

“Algieri may have the advantage in height and reach, but Manny overcame that with his heart and determination. He showed us that he has the true heart of a champion and once again, made us all proud to be Filipinos,” Binay said in a statement.

source: interaksyon.com

Pinoy fans 'angry,' in disbelief, after Pacquiao loses to Bradley

After Sarangani Rep. and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao lost to American fighter Timothy Bradley in the United States on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), Filipino netizens took to Twitter to express their disappointment over the judges' decision after the 12-round fight.

Pacquiao surrendered his WBO welterweight title to Bradley on a split decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

It was Pacquiao's first defeat since he lost to Erik Morales in Las Vegas in March 2005, ending the eight-weight division champion's run of 15 consecutive wins.

After the decision was announced, Pacquiao said he respects the younger boxer but that he believes "I won the fight."

Both Pacquiao and Bradley said they were open to a rematch in November this year.

On Twitter, Pacquiao fans -- Filipinps and foreigners alike -- expressed their disappointment and disbelief over the result of the fight:

Kirk Gimenez ‏@KirkSNY: "#PacBradley what just happened?!?! Rigged!!! Pacquiao was robbed!!!!! No way Bradley won that fight."

Ben Adler ‏@badler: "This bradley pacquiao decision is insane. Pacquiao dominated this whole fight, landed twice as many punches. Corrupt? Political?"

Railey Valeroso ‏@RaileyValeroso: "Bradley beats Pacquiao by split decision after getting knocked around the entire fight. And you thought the NBA was rigged."

Doug Liquori ‏@Padgoi: "If anyone thinks that boxing isn't fixed after this bogus PacquiaoBradley decision, you're insane. What a joke! Disgraceful!"

ringmagazine Michael: Kellerman is saying credible people at ringside had Bradley winning. If they scored it for Bradley, they're not credible. #boxing"

ringmagazine Michael: "Pacquiao has done so much for the sport; he's the last guy who should've been cheated like this.#boxing"

dougiefischer: "Bob Arum can't believe it. He's shrugging his shoulders to the media -- Timmy getting booed now during post-fight interview #boxing"


ringmagazine Michael: That is without question the worst decision I have ever seen. This is just a disgrace. I'm ready to give up on this sport. #boxing"

dougiefischer: "I've seen it all now. I'm living in Bizarro World. I thought maybe one could argue 116-112 or 115-113 for Pacquiao, but this? #boxing"

- VVP, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com