Pacquiao retains welterweight crown in controversial win

MANILA, Philippines (Nov 13, 2011) - Manny Pacquiao-Manuel Marquez trilogy comes to end in a way that did not satisfy many boxing fans.

Marquez stormed out of the ring after Michael Buffer announced the judges' controversial decison in favor of Pacquiao. WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao retained his title with a questionable majority decision victory over nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas today.

After Michael Buffer announced the judges's decision, boos, cans and plastics rained down towards the direction of the ring from irrate spectators who thought Pacquiao lost the match.

The three judges had scores of 114-114, and 115-113 and 116-112 for Pacquiao, who had himself on the receiving end of Marquez's brilliant counters throughout the fight.

Philstar.com had it 115-113 for Marquez, who once again left the ring in frustration after a night on which he appeared to have solved the Pacquiao puzzle.

"It's clear that I won the fight," Pacquiao said as he was met by jeers from the crowd.

Marquez displayed his fine counterpunching skills to frustrate Pacquiao for most of the fight.

The Filipino icon occassionally landed several left straights to his foe's head and body, but Marquez always came back with a response.

Asked if he would grant Marquez another crack at him, Pacquiao said: "It's up to my promoter. I will fight anyone, anytime."

While some echo Marquez's tirade that he was robbed again of victory. others believe Marquez has only himself to blame for stepping off the gas in the last rounds of the fight. Some believe that Marquez at 38 might have indeed lost some steam in the final stretch as Pacquiao maintained his aggressiveness to the end.

There was no robbery said one CNN analyst. Marquez simply just maintained his counterpunching posture even in the last three rounds when he had to be the aggressor for the clincher.

Coach Freddie Roach admitted that from 9th round onwards, Marquez had the fight for the taking but instead of stepping on the gas he held off. This allowed Pacquiao to deliver last-minute flurries that determined the outcome that could have gone either way.

The judges awarded 2 of the last 3 rounds to Pacquiao. SI.com give all the last three rounds to Pacquiao.