Split Decision Pacman Wins Over Marquez

Manny Pacquiao's rematch victory over Juan Manuel Marquez was worth every minute of waiting four years.

Pacquiao won a short split decision to call Marquez's WBC 130-pound title Saturday night in a sensational battle that left two of the world's best boxers bloody and triumphant.

Although Marquez landed more punches at a higher percentage, Pacquiao (46-3-2) overthrew Marquez (48-4-1) in the third round and persevered through a nasty cut. Marquez also been cut, but neither back one after another scintillating change.

Their first match up ended in a draw in May 2004. Marquez was destroyed three times in the opening of this acclaimed series fight, but the champion rallied Mexican unlikely to win the most rounds later, in a possible career-saving performance.

An immediate rematch was scuttled by the financial arguments, and Pacquiao continued his spots cement at the top of this sport and in the heart of all Filipinos, while Marquez has had a long climb back to a match he eagerly accepted this time.

The second fight is just as tight - and just as exciting.

Judge Duane Ford favorable Pacquiao Jerry Roth 115-112 and 115-112 for Marquez called, while Tom Miller made a point at 114-113 despite giving Pacquiao the final two rounds of Marquez. The Associated Press restrictive favorable Marquez, 114-113, on the strength of his 12nd turn.

Thanks to the remarkable action in almost every round producers bloody wounds and moments of cardiac arrest, the struggle has shown why the two boxers are at the top of their profession. A defining moment came when Pacquiao has almost won the battle in the third round, but Marquez kept his feet.

"I thought at that time I was in control of the fight," said Pacquiao. "But when he cut my eye in the fourth round, it has made it more difficult for me, and I could not take control of the fight. ... I was not sure (position in the 12th round), but I always treat the final round as the most important. I do not take any chances. "

Since the opening of the bell, the action is fast and frenetic at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Marquez Pacquiao staggered in the second round, but Pacquiao floored Marquez in the third with a left hook. Pacquiao then swinging Marquez later in what is sure to be one of the best rounds of the year, but could not finish Marquez.

"I do not like the decision," said Marquez. "I always feel I am a champion. It was a bad decision. This first knockdown, I was cold, but then I adjusted my game plan and I thought from there, I dictated the fight together. ... People are the best judge, and people are booing him. I won. "

Pacquiao won a major world title in his fourth weight division, and he intends to give fifth when he moves up to 135 pounds for his next fight against David Diaz, the WBC lightweight champion who won the undercard Saturday.

"I do not think so," said Pacquiao for a third fight with Marquez. "That case is over."

Marquez, whose brother Rafael just finished a three epic struggle with Israel Vazquez, landed 172 punches, or 34 percent of its total sales, compared to 25 percent of Pacquiao. Pacquiao threw more jabs, and Marquez landed more power shots.

Pacquiao entered the ring to cheers of thousands of fans and a Filipino rapper that prompted the crowd with a live performance. Marquez had a white tailored mariachi band was waiting in the ring, and his fans drowned in the large contingent Philippines.

After a cautious start, both fighters have shown a glimpse of their formidable potential in the second round. Pacquiao won several exchanges difficult, but Marquez Pacquiao wobbled with a combination of three punch in the last seconds.

The third set was a non-stop action, the two combatants in trading before the quality of fist Marquez Pacquiao put on the canvas with a left hook. Marquez is pushing against the ropes to the end, but would not get off.

Marquez Pacquiao cut with a punch in the fourth round, but Pacquiao staggered again in the seventh, and a collision of heads opened a nasty Marquez's cut near his right eye. Marquez Pacquiao then split the right cheek early in the eighth, but Pacquiao kept charging before taking the trouble with his vision obscured.

They exchanged punches quality until the last minute, when Marquez landed a few combinations to make final damage. Both fighters' cornermen raised in victory.

"It was a close fight, but we came back at the end," said Pacquiao trainer, Freddie Roach. "It could go either way, in my mind. Manny followed around the ring too. He did not cut the ring, as it should have. Marquez may have had much to do with that as well . Disciplinée Manny was more training than what it was in the fight tonight. "

Marquez could have had this fight shortly after their first match throughout the Strip in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden, but its management complained about the financial terms. Marquez ended up fighting for $ 30000 in Indonesia, where he lost his WBA title to John Chris two years ago, but Marquez claimed the WBC title by beating Barrera last year.