Pacquiao runs through Algieri, wins decision

MACAU – Manny Pacquiao proved he’s in different class than Chris Algieri, knocking down the tough challenger a total of six times but still settled for a unanimous decision win to retain the WBO welterweight title before a packed crowd at the Cotai Arena inside The Venetian Macao here Sunday.

It was a lopsided bout that saw Pacquiao flooring a resilient Algieri in the second, sixth (twice), ninth (twice) and tenth round in a dominant showing. Each knockdown brought the highly partisan crowd – numbering more than 13,000 – to its feet, waiting for the badly missed stoppage that never came.

But even with the fight going to the scorecards, Pacquiao was contented with the result

"Of course, I'm satisfied with my performance. I did my best," said Pacquiao, who won with scores of 119-103 (twice) and 120-102.

Philstar.com also had it a 120-102 shutout for the fighting congressman.

After a brief feeling out period, Algieri started to flick his jab, hoping he could hide behind it. But the punch many perceive to be his main weapon hardly affected Pacquiao, who found a way to sneak into Algieri’s longer reach to land blows.

In the second round, Algieri went down on all fours in the corner in what appeared to be a slip. But referee Genaro Rodriguez ruled it a knockdown, which frustrated Algieri.

The New York-based fighter later learned that it was the start of a series of misfortunes for him, as Pacquiao continued to stalk him, looking to land one big blow after another. The champion decked Algieri five more times – all legitimate ones this time – en route to the one-sided win.

Pacquiao later admitted having trouble with Algieri’s movement.

"I'm trying for the knockout but it's hard. He's fast, he's moving," he explained.

Indeed, Algieri spent a significant portion of the fight backpedaling to stay away from his predator, which at times frustrated the crowd that included legendary action stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone at ringside.

Still, Algieri was a tough customer, and Pacquiao made sure to give credit to his vanquished foe.

“I wasn't surprised he kept getting up because I saw him do that against Ruslan Provodnikov. He's really tough,” Pacquiao continued, whose record is now 57-5-2, with 38 KOs.

Algieri, for his part, was nothing but praise for his tormentor.

“He has perfected his style of fighting,” said the former kickboxer, who throughout the fight promotion described himself as a “master boxer.”

He wasn’t able to prove it Sunday, instead suffering the first loss of his career after 20 wins (8 KOs).

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach perhaps came out with the best line to summarize the bout.

“The master boxer (Algieri) was given a master class by Professor Pacquiao,” Roach said.

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Editor's note: Philstar.com's special coverage of the Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algieri fight is made possible by Cebu Pacific Air, why every Juan flies.