Manny Pacquiao defeats Chris Algieri: Round-by-round recap
Manny Pacquiao retained his WBO welterweight belt by scoring a unanimous decision against Chris Algieri at the Cotai Arena in Macau Saturday night.
Pacquiao knocked Algieri down six times en route to the victory and had him nearly out on his feet a couple times. But Algieri withstood the onslaught time after time and lasted the full 12 rounds.
Pacquiao landed 121 more punches than Algieri, who lost for the first time in his career after 20 victories. Pacquiao improved to 57-5-2 with 38 KOs.
"I'm so happy because there were so many Filipinos that came here tonight to watch me fight," Pacquiao said after the fight.
Asked about Floyd Mayweather, Pacquiao said in a mocking tone: "He's going to fight me?" then he said seriously, "I'm ready to fight him next year."
Said Algieri after the fight: "Manny is the best in the world at fighting like Manny Pacquiao. The plan was to get into the later rounds without incurring too much damage and land shots that would hurt him."
Here are round-by-round updates from USA TODAY Sports' Bob Velin:
Pre-fight: Pacquiao getting some love from the crowd. Big smile on his face as he walks to the ring. Chris Algieri is making his appearance wearing a Seawolves ballcap and lets loose with some loud grunts before he begins his walk up.
Round 1: Pacquiao comes out aggressively, throwing some hard lefts early. Gets Algieri on the ropes. Pacquiao on the attack while cutting off the ring. Awkward looking with Algieri so much taller. Algieri not doing much in the first round. Definitely a Pacquiao round.
Round 2: Algieri only 3 for 28 on connects in the first. Pacquiao looking quick, then knocks Algieri down early in the second. Might have been a slip but ref called it a knockdown. Pacquiao landing combinations. Algieri grazes Pac with a right. With the knockdown, it's a 10-8 round for Pacquiao.
Round 3: Pacquiao comes forward and connects with a couple left hands. Roy Jones lauds Algieri's footwork. Pacquiao finding it harder to connect on Algieri. Hard left by Pac. Pacquiao getting Algieri on the ropes and unloading with combinations. Another round for Pacquiao 10-9.
Round 4: Algieri starting to get a little more offensive. But Pacquiao picks his spots and connects with lefts. Pac connects on uppercuts and left hooks as Algieri looks as if he's hoping Pacquiao eventually punches himself out. Nice right by Algieri meets Pac's chin. Hard left by Pacquiao lands solidly. Algieri ends the round by connecting with a straight right. But another round for Pacman.
Round 5: All Pacquiao so far. Right cross by Algieri lands on Manny's chin, but Manny counters. Algieri is avoiding most of Pac's big shots. Algieri landing more rights. Algieri jabbing with regularity now. Algieri is definitely a moving target, and Pacquiao lunges and misses. Seems to be getting frustrated. This round goes to Algieri 10-9.
Round 6: Pacquiao comes out swinging, but neither fighters has any facial cuts or swelling. Pac lands an overhand left. Low blow by Algieri and he gets warned. Pacquiao knocks Algieri down with a hard left. He tumbles. Algieri down again. Pacquiao is connecting on some hard shots. Pacquiao wins the round 10-7 with the two knockdowns.
Round 7: Pacquiao beginning to assert his dominance. Algieri connects with an overhand right. But Pacquiao comes back and lands more combinations. Pac sensing that he may need the knockout if he has any chance of fighting Mayweather down the road. Algieri lands a right at the end of the round but the round again goes to Pacquiao.
Round 8: HBO's Harold Lederman has given every round to Pacquiao. While Algieri seems overmatched, you can't count him out. But we're at a spot in the fight where Algieri might need a knockout and he doesn't have knockout power. Algieri still moving well, but Pacquiao looks exceptionally quick tonight. Another round for Pacman.
Round 9: Pacquiao attacks at the bell. and midway through the round Pacquiao lands a monster left and drops Algieri. Another knockdown and Pacquiao putting the pressure on trying to end it in the ninth round, but Algieri withstands the onslaught and lasts until the bell. Algieri's corner tells him he's exactly where he wants to be. What?
Round 10:
Six knockdowns so far. Pacquiao is punching Algieri silly and Algieri may not finish the round. Pacquiao has not had a knockout in five years. Algieri misses an uppercut. Another knockdown. with 12 seconds left. Hard to believe Algeiri still standing, but maybe not for long.
Round 11: We're in the championship rounds now. Pacquiao, a 7-1 favorite, making the oddsmakers look good. He wants a knockout but Algieri is very tough and has not given up. Pacquiao has landing 114 more punches than Algieri. Another Pacquiao round. Barring a knockout, this one's over.
Round 12: Pacquiao's eye slightly swelled up. He throws a hard left uppercut and Algieri counters with a hard right. Pac going for a knockout here. down to the last minute of the fight. Very disappointing showing for Algieri. As the bell rings, Manny does a little shuffle. It's over. Six knockdowns.
Weigh-in: On Friday, Algieiri weighed in .4 pounds over the 144-pound limit. The normal welterweight limit is 147 pounds, but this fight is being fought at a catchweight.
