Round-by-round analysis of Pacquiao vs. Margarito

Round 1

Pacquiao’s jab rules the round, setting up lefts to head and body, and his counterpunches are effective. A hard left clean to Margarito’s head and another right give Pacquiao the round.

Round 2

Margarito comes to life with some good inside punching and a nice set of uppercuts. Pacquiao works feverishly to rally, with rapid-fire lefts, but Margarito’s power and size decide the round.

Round 3

Pacquiao scores some nice lefts. “Chins are being tested,” an announcer proclaims. An impressive combination to the head and body by Pacquiao decides round. Pacquiao’s jab is at its peak — what a weapon. Margarito swings and misses a wild right. Pacquiao ends with left-right to head and claims the round.

Round 4

Pacquiao batters Margarito, opening a cut under his right eye with big lefts as he comes off the ropes. Margarito might have thought he could pressure Pacquiao, but the Filipino’s legs are too strong. Another hard left and a huge combination hurt Margarito. He is wobbled. Margarito’s getting beat up.

Round 5

Pacquiao gives Margarito some props for a few inside punches, but Pacquiao also delivers another onslaught of hard combinations that clearly lessen the tough Mexican, whose bruised right eye area is awful. Pacquiao jabbing away.

Round 6

Pacquiao dares to let Margarito unleash his best punches against him, as he routinely does, much to trainer Freddie Roach’s angst. The crowd roars, thinking Margarito is rallying, but Pacquiao answers with his own strong combinations. Pacquiao survives pressure against ropes and shines at the end to rack up another round.

Round 7

Referee Laurence Cole orders Margarito to wipe Vaseline from his facial cut area. Margarito charges, Pacquiao lands a left. Pacquiao to the body. A Margarito left is answered by about a dozen Pacquiao blows. Left-left Pacquiao. Three more. Good exchange of rights near the bell. Easy round for Pacquiao.

Round 8

Incredible action as Margarito presses Pacquiao to the ropes, pounding him to body and a combination. Pacquiao reverses position, starts belting Margarito with a hard combination and left to the head. Margarito pressures again, landing good shots. Pacquiao escapes trouble again. He has great toughness too.

Round 9

Pacquiao buries a left flush to Margarito’s face. His right eye is nearly swollen shut. His left is getting bad. The action slows a bit for this bout’s standards. Pacquiao far more active, still strong. The legs, the energy are winning this fight.

Round 10

Referee Laurence Cole inspects Margarito’s swollen, bloodied right eye. A Pacquiao combination to head is followed by six others. Margarito’s face is “a mask of blood,” an announcer says. Margarito gets wobbled, barely holding hands up. Cole calls time after round, but lets fight proceed.

Round 11

Pacquiao continues domination amid cries to stop the fight. Pacquiao himself looks at Cole, as if begging him to stop it. Cole looks at Margarito once during round, waving a finger in his eye and letting it continue. Pacquiao picking Margarito apart, even if Margarito is 17 pounds heavier.

Round 12

Pacquiao clinches his record eighth belt in a different weight class, playing keep-away and cruising to victory by scores of 120-108 (Jurgen Langos), 118-110 (Glen Crocker) and 119-109 (Oren Schellenberger).