Stats, scorecards affirm Manny's win

LAS VEGAS – Adding up the nine judges’ scorecards in the three fights between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, the sum will show the Filipino ring icon with a slight seven-point advantage.

Before the third bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena here Saturday night (yesterday morning, Manila), Pacquiao had a slim one-point edge, 679-678, totalling the scores of the six judges. In their first encounter in 2004, the decision was a split draw with Burt Clements scoring it 113-113, Guy Jutras 115-110 for Marquez and John Stewart 115-110 for Pacquiao. In the rematch four years later, Pacquiao won on a split decision with Tom Miller scoring it 114-113 for Pacquiao, Duane Ford 115-112 for Pacquiao and Jerry Roth 115-112 for Marquez.

Pacquiao’s margin was extended to seven after the third match which saw Dave Moretti score it 115-113 for Pacquiao, Glenn Trowbridge 116-112 for Pacquiao and Robert Hoyule, 114-all.

Although some fans doubted the accuracy of the judges’ scoring, the computer stats proved Marquez wasn’t robbed. Pacquiao had more punches landed, 176 to 138 and more punches thrown, 578 to 436. Clearly, Pacquiao used his trademark as a volume puncher to pile up points over the more precise but less busy Marquez.

In their first two meetings, Pacquiao averaged 100 more punches thrown than Marquez even as the Mexican had the advantage in connections, 330 to 305.

Pacquiao made sure he had the edge in both departments in the third fight.

On the average, Pacquiao landed 14 punches a round and Marquez, 11, in the third fight. The disparity was larger in punches thrown, 49 to 36. Pacquiao led in jabs connected, 59 to 38, and power punches landed, 117-100. Any way you look at the stats, Pacquiao was the clear winner.

None of the nine judges who scored in the three bouts had a repeat performance to avoid any suspicion of partisanship.

Pacquiao’s alter ego and second trainer Buboy Fernandez said he could never accept losing as an option. “It could’ve been a draw or it could’ve been a win but not a loss,” said Fernandez. Manny was not his usual self. The cramps limited what he wanted to do and that’s because of stress. But Manny did what he had to do to win which is important for our country. I rate his performance a 7 or 8. It could’ve been better. He was the aggressor and I think that was the deciding factor.”

Pacquiao’s chief of security Rob Peters said he’s against a fourth fight because it won’t prove anything. “You can’t please everybody,” he said. “Manny has nothing left to prove. Marquez hasn’t beaten him in three fights so why fight him again?”

Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee said she would’ve been happy with a draw because the fight was close. Like Fernandez, she wouldn’t entertain the notion of Marquez winning the bout. After it was explained that judges give the benefit of the doubt to the aggressor in a close round, she realized why Pacquiao deserved the victory.

Meanwhile, Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer said he didn’t think it necessary to do drug tests on Pacquiao and Marquez days or even weeks before their third fight. The tests were conducted immediately before and after the bout. Under the rules, if the winner tests positive after the fight, it will be declared a no-contest with an imminent suspension.

“From the way they looked, Manny and Juan Manuel were in great physical condition,” said Kizer. “They both came in one and two pounds under the limit.”

Kizer said there was nothing controversial in announcing that Joel Casamayor scaled one over the 140-pound limit for his fight against WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley before Pacquiao and Marquez weighed in. 

Casamayor was naked when he went up the scales, his private parts covered by a jacket, in his first attempt. An hour later, he was right on the button.

Casamayor’s second Miguel Diaz, the Argentinian who works Pacquiao’s corner as a cutman, complained to Kizer about the scales.

“I explained the notches on the scales, he didn’t see where the notches were for the quarter and half lines but everything was settled,” said Kizer. “Casamayor came back to make the weight after an hour. No problem.”

As for Floyd Mayweather’s demand for Olympic-style drug testing before he agrees to fight Pacquiao, Kizer said he won’t bother with it. “The state has its own rules and we abide by those rules,” he said. “I really don’t care what some fighters want. I just make sure the state rules are followed, that’s all.”

Neither Pacquiao nor Marquez has ever tested positive for drugs.

Mayweather has claimed that Pacquiao takes performance enhancing drugs to retain his speed and power moving up in weight but no evidence has ever surfaced.

Pacquiao has sued Mayweather for the unfounded accusation.

Marquez was suspected by some quarters for taking steroids to bulk up for yesterday’s fight, particularly as his strength and conditioning coach Angel Heredia (now Hernandez) was known to previously supply illegal drugs to track athletes Marion Jones and Tim Montgomery.

“I will be glad to take any examination,” said Marquez whose ritual of drinking his own urine was stopped by Hernandez. “I want to make it clear, I have done a clean preparation for this fight, just like I have done for 18 years. I have trained differently for this fight. I have trained three times a day, three days a week and changed my physical training. That will be the difference this time. I lifted weights to build my body for this occasion. But we’ll still have our speed.”

Pacquiao said he’s comfortable as a welterweight. He scaled 148 pounds early this week and was 143 at the weigh-in. “I think boxing comes easier for me now,” he said. “I’ve seen that I can be bigger and stronger and still have my quickness. The problem (with Marquez), as you get bigger, you’re slower. It’s not easy to put weight on and maintain your speed.”