PACQUIAO A WORLD CHAMP, FINALLY

MICHAEL BUFFER WAS still halfway through announcing the final judge's score when suddenly, the crowd erupted in a huge roar.

The popular announcer was then saying "new."

In case you didn't catch it, Buffer said: "The new super featherweight champion of the world!"

He was, of course, referring to Manny Pacquiao.

The Filipino ring sensation finally won a world championship, becoming the first Asian to win world titles in three different weight classes after outpointing Juan Manuel Marquez on the way to claiming the Mexican's belt in Las Vegas.

Four years ago, Pacquiao failed to grab Marquez's featherweight belts despite knocking the Mexican thrice in the first round.

Marquez fought back to force a controversial draw, setting this long-awaited rematch dubbed "Unfinished Business."

And by the end of this bout, Pacquiao finally tied up all the loose ends.

"Our business is finished," the Gen. Santos City native told a television reporter.

And contrary to oddsmakers' prediction, business did not end with a knockout. Pacquiao, this time proving that he had the finishing kick that he woefully lacked in their first meeting, floored Marquez in the third round before flaunting disciplined boxing skills that led to the split decision victory.

"After that knockdown, I felt I controlled the match," said the 29-year-old southpaw, who nearly finished off Marquez with a flurry there. The Mexican was dangerously pinned against the ropes in the final 10 seconds but was rescued by the bell.

Pacquiao led off with a right jab that barely grazed Marquez's face but caught the Mexican with a left hook for the knockdown at the 21-second mark of the third round.

And just like the first bout, Marquez did not stay glued to the canvas after falling.

Marquez fought back and even had Pacquiao in trouble in the middle rounds. Both fighters sported cuts near the eye area but it was Marquez who took advantage, landing combinations in the eighth round as Pacquiao couldn't see where the Mexican was attacking from.

"I couldn't see from my left eye so I could not hit him," said Pacquiao, who admitted that he was hurt as Marquez effectively landed body shots in the eighth.

But Pacquiao woke up from the ninth round onwards to overhaul Marquez' lead in the scorecards.

Dwayne Ford scored it 115-112, while Tom Miller had it 114-113 both in favor of the Filipino. Jerry Roth scored it 115-112 for the Mexican.

The Inquirer actually had it 114-113 for Marquez, but only after giving the 34-year-old fighter the first and last rounds, which could have gone Pacquiao's way.

"I'm still thinking I won the fight," Marquez said through an interpreter. The Mexican was more aggressive than his usual counter-punching ways but clearly lacked the zing in his punches.

Pacquiao's power was more evident as the Filipino rocked Marquez every time he managed to land his pet left.

Posted by : Francis Ochoa

PACQUIAO WINS!

MANNY Pacquiao is now the WBC super featherweight champion of the world.

The Filipino stole the world title from Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, leaning on a third round knockdown and a late charge in the match to win by split decision.

Dwayne Ford had it 115-112 while Tom Miller scored it 114-113 both for Pacquiao. Jerry Roth had it 115-112 for Juan Manuel Marquez.

The Inquirer had it actually 114-113 for Marquez, but the first and last rounds, which were scored for the Mexican, could have easily gone Pacquiao's way.

Posted by : Francis Ochoa

It's off to the scorecards

BOTH fighters landed crisp combinations in the final round but Juan Manuel Marquez seemed to get the better of the shots inside.

Marquez seemed to regain control of the match as Pacquiao struggled to land his left off set-ups by his right jab.

A late exchange by both fighters sent the fight into the scorecards.

Posted by : Francis Ochoa

Late flurry gives round 11 to Pacquiao

JUAN Manuel Marquez became the aggressor again, realizing that he holds only a flimsy lead on the scorecards.

Marquez mixed it up with body and head shots but Pacquiao managed to use his speed to stay out of trouble and, ironically, display his own brand of counter-punching by tagging the Mexican with left hooks.

A late flurry by Pacquiao saves the round for the Filipino.

Posted by : Francis Ochoa

Pacquiao staggers Marquez

MANNY Pacquiao's power started coming back into play as the Filipino led off with his right jab in unleashing combinations that had Juan Manuel Marquez staggering.

A furious exchange had Marquez leaning against the ropes and was wobbly after a solid left from Pacquiao. But the Mexican wove his way out of trouble despite getting tagged several times.

Pacquiao seemed to have better vision out of his right eye as he started landing shots. Marquez continued to find his mark, but none of his shots seemed to hurt Pacquiao.

Posted by : Francis Ochoa

Round 9: Manny bounces back

MANNY Pacquiao fights back in this round, cutting into Juan Manuel Marquez' lead in the ninth round as the Filipino started showing signs of life again.

Unable to land as frequently as he wants, Pacquiao managed to tag Marquez with crisp combinations led off by his now potent right jab.

Marquez had to be checked again as his cut started getting bigger.

Posted by : Francis Ochoa

Fight shifts heavily in Marquez's favor

JUAN Manuel Marquez started dominating the round, taking advantage of the blood flowing over Manny Pacquiao's right eye.

With Pacquiao's vision blurred, Marquez started to land more shots to the body. In the middle of the round, Pacquiao even doubled up a bit after getting tagged with combinations to the body.

Marquez was the aggressor in the round, landing combinations to different targets.

Posted by : Francis Ochoa

Cuts start to show

MANNY Pacquiao started unleashing potent combinations as both fighters got cuts in the face.

Juan Manual Marquez had to be checked by a ringside physician for a cut to the left eye while Pacquiao got cut under the right eye after a combination by Marquez.

Pacquiao's left couldn't find its range as Marquez continued counter-punching.

Posted by : Francis Ochoa

Marquez regains control of match

JUAN Manuel Marquez regained control of the match as he backpedalled his way out of any trouble, contenting himself with throwing combinations after a Manny Pacquiao barrage.

Manny Pacquiao tried to find his range but could not make it inside Marquez's five-inch reach advantage.

Both fighters managed to land crisp shots but none of them really connected on power blows.

Posted by : Francis Ochoa

Marquez slowly recovers

Both fighters threw mild combinations, tagging each other with crisp blows alternately but no one seemed to hurt the other in Round 5.

Juan Manuel Marquez seemed to recover from the knockdown and started settling into counter-punching mode again, going for body shots every time he saw an opening.

Manny Pacquiao landed a solid right but failed to rock his opponent as the pace slowed considerably.

Posted by : Francis Ochoa