Live Blog: Pacquiao dominates from start to finish, wins unanimous decision

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Published Saturday, May 7, 2011 | 8:10 p.m.

Updated Saturday, May 7, 2011 | 10:06 p.m.

Manny Pacquiao was the main attraction Saturday on the Las Vegas Strip. He didn't disappoint.

Pacquiao scored an unanimous decision victory against Shane Mosley in defense of his WBO welterweight crown, recording a solid knockdown in the third round with a left hand and dominating from start to finish to win convincingly — 119-108, 120-108, 120-107.

Most of the 16,412 fans at the MGM Grand Garden Arena spent a majority of the night booing a passive Mosley, a former three-division champion who was out to resurrect his career after posting a 0-1-1 record in his last two fights.

He picked the wrong opponent.

Pacquiao won for the 14th straight time, an impressive streak dating back to 2005, as the Filipino fighter has become the undisputed pound-for-pound best in boxing.

“I think Manny did a pretty good job. He has speed and power,” Mosley said. “He is a warrior. He is the fastest I’ve ever seen.”

Pacquiao nearly ended the fight in the third round with a solid left to Mosley’s body to send him to the canvas. While Mosley got up, and survived two rounds of all-out pressure with Pacquiao trying to finish the fight, he never fully recovered.

Pacquiao complained of legs cramps after the fourth round, which prevented him applying pressure most of the rest of the night. With Mosley being passive, it made for an uneventful night — which, considering the anticipation for the fight, left several disappointed.

“I wanted to move but I couldn’t,” Pacquiao said. “My legs were tight. I need to work on my legs in future training camps.”

Mosley turned up the intensity in the ninth round after he was awarded a controversial knockdown. Replays show Mosley pushed Pacquiao down.

Pacquiao wasn’t injured — he wasn’t hurt all night — and used the incident as motivation the rest of the fight. Pacquiao closed strong, earning the lopsided scores.

“I fought the best fighter in the world,” Mosley said. “I have never fought someone with so much power.”

11th round:

Manny Pacquiao came out ready to make amends for being knocked down in the 10th — he was pushed down, but it was ruled a knockdown — and didn’t disappoint. With fans yelling, “Manny, Manny” he worked at a quick pace and connected on several combos. For a fight that lacked energy and intensity all night, we finally have some action. One round to go. Mosley needs a miracle.

10th round:

It will be recorded a knockdown for Shane Mosley, but replays show he pushed Manny Pacquiao to the ground in the 10th round. Either way, it was exactly what the fight need — a boost of energy. The atmosphere in the MGM Grand Garden Arena is intense. Pacquiao has picked up the pace big-time and is clearly upset with the call. Give the round to Mosley, his first of the night. Buckle your seat belts for the rest of the way.

Ninth round:

Manny Pacquiao is pushing the pace here in the later rounds of the WBO welterweight title fight. It’s been a pretty uneventful fight with very little to cheer about. Mosley is clearly retreating and counting the minutes until he can collect his $6 million payday. Not a back way to walk into retirement.

Eighth round:

It’s pretty clear that Sugar Shane Mosley is fighting to not be knocked out. He surely isn’t on the attack or looking to score a big punch. Mosley has never been knocked out in his career, and that record might be his lone redeeming result from tonight. Amongst all the displeasure and boos for Mosley, Manny Pacquiao has been consistent all night. He continues to execute his game plan, and is trying to force the action. Still, it would be nice to see a much-better Pacquiao put Mosley away.

Seventh round:

You can easily make the argument Sugar Shane Mosley is fighting tonight for a paycheck. It sure feels like that way. Either Manny Pacquiao is really good, or Mosley is just that washed up. For all of the hype and excitement for this fight, it has been a big-time disappointment. You have to feel bad for the people who paid for the pay-per-view. Just no action to report, folks.

Sixth round:

Some of the sold out 16,000 fans are getting restless with Shane Mosley’s fighting style. Mosley is content on letting the fight come to him and counter-attacking. That is obviously not working as Manny Pacquiao continues to own this WBO welterweight title fight. Pacquiao has been masterful. There was such great build up for this fight. It is sad the fans are booing.

Fifth round:

Shane Mosley has survived Manny Pacquiao through five rounds, even though his chances were pretty slim during the third and fourth rounds. The fifth round was again won Pacquiao, but Mosley has fully recovered from being knockout in the third round. Pacquiao has been in attack-mode the last three rounds and it has been a thing of beauty. This is why he is the undisputed pound-for-pound champ.

Fourth round:

Shane Mosley is looking very nervous in the ring as Manny Pacquiao continues to apply pressure. Mosley, who was knocked down in the third round, slipped during to avoid a punch in the fourth. Pacquiao has dominated the fight from start to finish in easily winning all four rounds. The only question that looms is how Pacquiao will win: by decision or knockout? Mosley is looking every bit of 39-year-old and on his last leg. That is a shame, because Sugar Shane could battle with the best during his heyday.

Third round:

Sugar Shane Mosley has never been knocked out in his 53-match fighting career. Midway through the third round, Manny Pacquiao almost end the WBO welterweight title fight. A straight left to the body sent Mosley to the canvas. He was able to get up, but Pacquiao continued to apply the pressure with hopes of ending the fight. He nearly did in showing why he is a -900 betting favorite. The arena is busy with excitement and anticipation.

Second round:

Pacquiao comes on strong toward the end of the second round, landing a clear right to Mosley’s face. He is clearly been the aggressor, while it appears Mosley in content on waiting for an opening or mistake. Mosley hasn’t landed much. The fight continues to be slow-developing.

First round:

Pretty slow initial round with both fighters feeling each other out. Pacquiao landed two good shots, but nothing that hurt Mosley. The atmosphere inside the arena went from energetic during the pre-fight ceremonies — LL Cool J and Jamie Foxx both performed — to virtual silent. Let’s hope the second round brings some action. 10-9 Pacquiao.

Manny Pacquiao has proven he’s not afraid to stand toe-to-toe in the center of the ring and exchange punches.

That was the case in November 2010 during his most-recent fight, when Antonio Margarito was able to sneak in several solid connections in what turned out to be an action-filled fight.

While Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) eventually won the slugfest — sending Margarito to the hospital for eye-socket surgery — for his 13th straight victory, he might have inadvertently fallen into a trap that could be problematic Saturday.

Pacquiao will defend his WBO welterweight crown in a 12-round fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena against veteran Shane Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs), a slugger who only needs one solid punch to pull off what would be one of the biggest upsets in recent boxing history.

Both fighters have said they won’t back away from turning the fight into an all-out brawl. That could favor Mosley, who at 39-year-old is out to prove his still has the quickness and ring presence from his glory years. And, regardless of age, Mosley still has one of the sport’s top punches.

Still, resurrecting his fading career might be easier said than done against the virtually unbeatable Pacquiao. The 32-year-old Pacquiao is a -900 betting favorite (gamblers win $1 for every $9 wagered).

The oddsmakers aren’t the lone ones who think it will be an easy win. Pacquiao, in fact, has a concert planned for later tonight at the Mandalay Bay — a man of many project, he recently released a CD single.

Despite what appears to be an uneven pairing, this fight is clearly the most-anticipated of the year. The 16,000 seat MGM is sold out and the anticipation is building — obviously to see the fan-favorite Pacquiao.

We’ll have round-by-round coverage when the card gets started around 8:30 p.m. PST. You can also follow the Sun’s three reporters at the fight on Twitter — Ray Brewer at raybrewer21, Case Keefer at casekeefer and columnist John Katsilometes at johnnykats.

Pavlik takes majority decision in return

In what was a dull fight in the initial four rounds, former middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik prevailed with a majority decision victory against previously unbeaten Alfonso Lopez in a 10-round fight.

Pavlik, in his first fight after a 13-month layoff for alcohol rehabilitation, won convincingly on two of the three judges’ scorecards — 99-91 from CJ Ross and 98-92 by Dick Houck. Watching the same fight — amazingly — Adalaide Byrd saw it 95-all.

Regardless, it was a good starting point for the 29-year-old Pavlik (37-2) in his quest to return to the top of the 171-pound division.

Pavlik appeared rusty early, but then again, that was expected. Despite Lopez (21-1) landing 49-percent of his punches, Pavlik never was hurt or challenged.

Jorge Arce scores final-round technical knockout

Jorge Arce and Wildredo Vazquez Jr. were even at 104-all on two of the three judges’ scorecards entering the 12th and final round of their WBO super bantamweight title fight.

Arce, the challenger and underdog, made the decision easy — he came out throwing a series of punches, showing amazing energy and not stopping until the Vazquez corner threw in a water bottle to stop the bout.

The 31-year-old Acre, who began professional fighting at age 16, recorded a technical knockout at the 55-second mark. He improved to 57-6-2.