It finally happened. The fight boxing fans have wanted to see for the better part of a decade took place Saturday as Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao went down at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Here is a round-by-round recap with some Twitter reaction.
Round 1: Both fighters came out firing jabs with Pacquiao using plenty of head movement and Mayweather keeping a safe distance and staying off the ropes.
Sportsnet scored the round 10-9 Mayweather
Round 2: As he did in the first round, Mayweather was effective with his patented straight right hand. Pacquiao had trouble getting inside and save for a couple brief flurries, the round belonged to Mayweather.
Sportsnet scored the round 10-9 Mayweather
Round 3: Pacquiao tried to up the tempo, but Mayweather would hold on to him whenever he got close and landed some pot shots. Not much action in the third stanza until the final few seconds. Pacquiao went to his corner smiling although he could very well be down 3-0 on the cards.
Sportsnet scored the round 10-9 Mayweather
Round 4: Pacquiao finally got Mayweather in the corner at the start of the round. Mayweather remained composed until Pacquiao landed a combo that forced Mayweather to put up his shield. He also worked in some solid body shots. By far the most success Pacquiao has had thus far. Quite the entertaining round.
Sportsnet scored the round 10-9 Pacquiao
Round 5: Mayweather came out more aggressive in the fifth as the two men continued to feel one another out. Money’s lateral movement along the ropes was on display and Pacquiao had trouble finding the target. Another strong three minutes from Mayweather.
Sportsnet scored the round 10-9 Mayweather
Round 6: Pacquiao moved forward throwing furiously, but nothing landed clean until a left hand midway through the round. Pacquiao worked the body along the ropes, but Mayweather shakes them off like they’re nothing.
Sportsnet scored the round 10-9 Pacquiao
Round 7: After some strong words from his father in the corner in between rounds, Mayweather comes out the aggressor like he did in Round 5. When the action is taking place in the centre of the ring, Mayweather is owning the fight.
Sportsnet scored the round 10-9 Mayweather
Round 8: Pacquiao lands a strong left and a couple strong right jabs in the first minute. When he starts to swing wild, however, he isn’t touching Mayweather with anything significant. Pacquiao stalks Mayweather but the unbeaten superstar hits the Filipino icon with a nice check-hook. Mayweather took control in the second half of the round, but Pacquiao did land some decent shots early and could have taken that round.
Sportsnet scored the round 10-9 Mayweather
Round 9: Mayweather continued to showcase his incredible reflexes and instinct. Pacquiao looks far more tentative than we’re used to seeing and that’s a credit to Mayweather. Pacquiao will have to do something special to win this fight.
Sportsnet scored the round 10-9 Mayweather
Round 10: Even when Pacquiao lands, he can’t follow up with anything damaging, which has him frustrated. Mayweather isn’t picking Pacquiao apart, but he is being more effective. Pacquiao could have stolen that round on aggression though.
Sportsnet scored the round 10-9 Mayweather
Round 11: Mayweather lands a hard right at the start of the round and after the fighters’ feet get tangled Mayweather lands his best right hook of the fight. Pacquiao is a step behind, not throwing combinations and will need a knockout in the 12th to win.
Sportsnet scored the round 10-9 Mayweather
Round 12: The final frame is more of the same. Mayweather dictating the pace and imposing his will. This is your standard Mayweather round and fight. Not the most entertaining showcase of boxing but a truly masterful performance from Mayweather.
Sportsnet scores the round 10-9 and the fight 118-110 for Floyd Mayweather.
Decision: Floyd Mayweather defeats Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision (118-110, 116-112, 116-112)
Pre-fight
There was a slight delay to the beginning of the festivities after cable companies requested some additional time to account for the sheer number of fans ordering the fight on pay-per-view.
As you can see, the two fighters got prepared backstage in their own particular ways.
Once things got rolling, actor/comedian/musician Jamie Foxx sang The Star-Spangled Banner.
Both fighters had star-studded entourages that walked them to the ring. Pacquiao had Jimmy Kimmel, while Mayweather had Justin Bieber!