So, when’s the rematch?
Say what you will about Floyd Mayweather but he is a boxing genius.
The American won what was built up as the fight of a generation with a masterclass that held the frantic Manny Pacquiao at an arm’s length throughout.
Despite the Filipino chasing relentlessly around the ring and bringing the crowd to their feet on a number of occasions, Mayweather always had enough about him to control the fight and take the decision on points to remain undefeated in his ridiculous career.
As expected.
Here’s how it went down in Las Vegas.
Round One
A decade’s build up, an hour delay, and the first round starts underwhelmingly. Both fighters are cagey, Pacquiao is staying out of reach of Mayweather’s left arm and Floyd doesn’t feel obliged to chase him. Money does land two right hands on the Filipino’s chin though and takes the first on points.
Round Two
The American crowd are pro Philippines and, as Pacquiao briefly gets Mayweather into the corner, chants of “Manny, Manny” are heard around the MGM Grand. Aggressive stuff from Pacquiao who manages a little smirk at his opposite number at the end of the round but, inevitably, Money looks to have taken the second, too. Maybe. The second round was a lot tighter.
Round Three
PacMan plays into Mayweather’s hands by chasing the American. Floyd Jr keeps to the centre of the ring and lets Pacquiao come at him, all the while landing shots with that accurate right hand of his. Mayweather catches a good body shot to Manny who is hunting but his work isn’t as economical or as effective.
Round Four
No sign of slowing up for the man from the Philippines. And it almost bloody pays off. A left hand from Pacquiao seems to have stunned Mayweather who takes cover on the ropes and Manny goes to town on his shielded opponent to the mammoth roars of the crowd. PacMan is in this fight and, as the fourth comes to an end – his round – the spectators come to their feet.
Round Five
Mayweather looks to be fearing Pacquiao’s pace. His corner tell him he’s “fighting scared” but it’s not exactly out of tone with his elusive style anyway. The American keeps his composure and seizes control again in the fifth as a good right hand puts a bit of manners into PacMan who throws just 16 punches in the fifth round. Some boos come from the crowd as Mayweather takes the sting out of the round and manages to keep Manny on the back foot.
Round Six
Pacquiao has had enough. He goes at Mayweather relentlessly, not letting Money keep his distance. Pacquiao throws a number of combinations, most of them blocked by the defensive master, but he just keeps coming and stays in Money’s face. Floyd finds himself on the ropes again but he taunts Pacquiao after a number of body combinations to say, “no”. Either that or, “Ain’t so bad!” Pacquiao may well have taken the sixth round but it’s clear that he isn’t interested in winning on points.
Round Seven
Mayweather does it again. He puts paid to Pacquiao’s aggression by squeezing the life out of the seventh. A close round with incidents few and far between but exactly what Money’s corner would’ve wanted after a dodgy looking sixth.
Round Eight
That counter right of Floyd’s is frightening. He skips to the left and lands a hard one on Pacquiao’s chin. The Filipino looks to have tired slightly. He’s thrown almost 70 more power punches than Mayweather and landed one less. Money is in control as he skips around the ring and eludes Manny.
Round Nine
The commentators reckon Pacquiao is following the blue print to his success against Juan Manuel Marquez by throwing punch after punch but this is not Marquez he is facing. Even when he has Mayweather in the corner, it is the Filipino who is coming off worst as Mayweather ducks and weaves and lands punches on the counter all the while. He’s a decent fighter, that Floyd fellow.
Round Ten
Pacquiao has landed just 19 per cent of his punches and Mayweather is well out in front. His left jab against a south paw is remarkably accurate and he’s scoring in every round. Pacquiao needs a knock out but he hasn’t got close to denting Floyd enough, the American is still light on his feet and he’s still in command. A subdued round – Pacquiao needs more to win it.
Round Eleven
We’re in Mayweather’s back garden now. Pacquiao is desperate, he’s swinging, he’s missing, Floyd is dodging. He lands a couple of sharp lefts to Manny’s head as PacMan runs out of ideas trying to get inside and damage him. It’s not happening.
Round Twelve
Pacquiao’s aggression and energy has waned. He needed more intensity to make this the tight brawl he was after but Mayweather just wouldn’t let it happen. The final round is a let down. Pacquiao is out of legs and he can’t catch Floyd, he can’t even get close. Pacquiao landed in double figures in just three rounds. He didn’t have the tactical ammunition to get near Money and, whilst both celebrate at the bell, there’s only one winner.
