Clear winner

I am aware of my own bias. Yes, I want our own Manny Pacquiao to win the fight. But because of this awareness, know that I am making a conscious effort to not let this bias taint my opinion. That said, I honestly believe that Pacquiao clearly won that fight against the game challenger Juan Manuel Marquez.

1. CompuBox scoring had Manny Pacquiao ahead. Here is the link. Juan Manuel Marquez was ahead slightly in the first half of the fight. But Manny clearly scored more power punches in the latter rounds. Marquez was wailing wildly and missing badly near the end of the fight. Watch the video again.

2. For rounds too close to call, judges usually reward and give the round to the aggressor and not the counter-puncher. There are at least 4 rounds that may be deemed "too close to call". And who was the aggressor in the fight? Who was constantly pushing forward?

3. Manny Pacquiao was the defending champion. Champions only need to defend their crowns. Challengers need to take it away from the champion. Did Juan Manuel Marquez do enough to take it away from Manny? Hmmmm... no. Even if the CompuBox stats were reversed, Manny would still deserve to retain the crown. Challengers need to win convincingly. Close fights, champions retain their crowns.

4. If you are unable to knock-out your opponent, the rule of professional boxing states that you go to do the judges' score cards (and not ask the opinion of the spectators). So Marquez fans can cry all they want, but they do not get to decide. And oh yeah, fighters do not get to choose the judges, but they have the power to disapprove the selection of a judge (in pre-fight negotiations). So whoever those judges were, Juan Manuel Marquez' camp approved them.

5. Then there is the useless observation that Manny behaved like he had lost, because he looked really disappointed after the bell had rung for the end of the 12th  round, while Marquez was raising his hands in jubilation. Of course Manny was disappointed. He wanted to knock Marquez out. And Marquez was just too happy to have once again stood toe-to-toe with the undisputed pound for pound king. Imagine Barangay Ginebra losing by just 3 points against the LA Lakers. Wouldn't they celebrate that loss too?

Finally, huwag kayong magulo. Pag ako naasar, ako na mismo ang lalaban kay Marquez. :)