LAS VEGAS, MGM Grand - According to Freddie Roach, trainer of WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez had the fight in his hands, but allowed the victory to slip away in the final two rounds. Pacquiao won a controversial twelve round majority decision. The scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112 were met with debate. Marquez is so frustrated by the defeat, combined with a 2004 draw and a 2008 loss by a single point, that he is considering retirement.
"Marquez fought a great fight," Roach said. "Manny edged it out in the last two rounds but it was a close fight. He has Manny's number. The fight was there for him but he chose to stay in counter-puncher mode. Manny hit him with some good shots but nothing great. [Manny] was moving into his right hands too much. He started cramping and he couldn't get out of the way. He was getting hit with the returns too much."
