Follow minute-by-minute updates from Las Vegas as Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao finally get it on in the most anticipated boxing match of all time...
So, there we are. When it all came down to it we saw the fight that many had predicted. Manny Pacquiao just couldn't impose his style on a calculated Floyd Mayweather. The American showed why he is regarded as the best in the business with a fine display of punching. Pacquiao scared him early and needed to capitalise then. Instead, the longer the fight went on the more Mayweather looked a class apart. That's all from us, thanks for following...
9.45am: Irish gives us her summing up...
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So undefeated American superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. remains the pound-for-pound king of his generation as he beats Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao in the fight of the century on Saturday evening (Sunday morning UAE time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mayweather extended his undefeated record winning the welterweight title in a unanimous judges' decision. Two judges each scored 116-112 while the other judge scored 118-110 in favour of Mayweather. Mayweather landed 148 of his 435 punches, while Pacquiao landed 81 of his 429 total punches. In an interview after the fight Mayweather gave credit to Pacquiao. “He is a hell of a fighter. I take my hat off him. Now I see why he's one of the guys that are at the pinnacle of the sport of boxing.” While the Pacquiao thinks he won the megafight. "I thought I won the fight," Pacquiao said, adding that Mayweather was "moving around" and "he didn't do nothing". |
9.41am: Jinkee, Manny Pacquiao's wife, is clearly not happy with the decision. Click here for more...
9.26am: Here's Mayweather with the belts. You have to say he oozed class in the ring in contrast to the rest of his life...
9.21am: Scorecards from Twitter...
The scorecards for #MayPac #rstream pic.twitter.com/9Wb2xtbl7x— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) May 3, 2015
9.13am: Some nice fight analysis here...
Final #MayPac fight stats pic.twitter.com/xehwG1XZ5A— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) May 3, 2015
9.11am: A dejected Manny Pacquiao...
9.08am: The fighters embrace at the end. Undoubted respect between them...
9.04am: And another of Floyd...
9.01am: Here's Mayweather celebrating...
8.59am: Actress Elizabeth Banks on Twitter...
Floyd Mayweather is an incredible fighter, but he just bored me out of $100. #MayPac— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) May 3, 2015
8.55am: Pacquiao says he thought he won the fight. 'He didn't do anything' the Filipino said and you can see where he's coming from. But Mayweather was economical and quality... that's the Mayweather way. Manny says he slowed at the end because he thought he was ahead.
8.53am: Mayweather surprisingly gracious in victory. Remember, both men stand to make millions from this. Pacquiao was all action, but Mayweather perhaps had more quality.
8.52am: All the judges well in favour of Mayweather 118-110, 116-112, 116-112
8.50am: Mayweather has won it by unanimous decision!!!
8.48am: And just like that, the fight of the century is over. Mayweather thinks he's done it, and that seems to be the opinion of the boxing fraternity on Twitter and the TV commentary team. He certainly seemed more in control.
The fighters have embraced, Manny is being saluted by the crowd and we await the points decision...
Round 12
This is so tight. Pacquiao has thrown everything at Mayweather, you cannot say the Filipino has left anything to chance. But Floyd has stayed classy, in the words of Ron Burgundy. Mayweather's economical style could be the difference, but who knows. Irish thinks totally the opposite... that's boxing! And Irish gives the last round to Mayweather. This one is over and the judges will decide...
Irish's total: Mayweather 5 Pacquiao 7
Round 11
Every time Pacquiao releases a flurry of punches, Floyd seems to block them and pick the Filipino off. It all depends how the judges are seeing it. Irish has round 11 for Mayweather. TV commentators suggesting the fight is going in Floyd's favour...
Irish's total: Mayweather 4 Pacquiao 7
Round 10
Pacquiao attacking again, but Mayweather sitting back and you feel landing slightly more. It's still quite cagey. Both men starting to tire in the 10th you feel. Electric atmosphere though. The attacker vs the counter puncher. Irish says round 10 is even, but goes in Pacquiao's favour...
Irish's total: Mayweather 3 Pacquiao 7
Round 9
Pacquiao working the body of Mayweather, but the American is picking him off. Big right from Mayweather towards the end of the round, another close one, but another one for Pacquiao according to Irish...
Irish's total: Mayweather 3 Pacquiao 6
Round 8
Both fighters looking strong. A knockdown you would say is unlikely at this point, which brings the judges into the match. Irish is a Filipina, so you have to expect her to go Pacquiao whenever possible! Another really back and forth round, and Irish gives it to Mayweather...
Irish's total: Mayweather 3 Pacquiao 5
Round 7
Mayweather deploying the jab to good effect, picking off Pacquiao with his longer reach. But Pacman is getting inside here and there, landing a few on Mayweather. Another tight round, but Irish has it for Pacquiao again...
Irish's total: Mayweather 2 Pacquiao 5
Round 6
Manny unleashes another flurry of punches, to which Floyd shakes his head. That usually means at least one landed! Pacquiao is doing all the work, you wonder if he will tire. Mayweather coming back each time in the latter part of the round... Irish scores it for Pacquiao
Irish's total: Mayweather 2 Pacquiao 4
Round 5
You feel the longer this goes on, the more Mayweather is favourite. Pacquiao went after him after him again there, but maybe the momentum is shifting a little bit. Irish scores it to Pacquiao, though...
Irish's total: Mayweather 2 Pacquiao 3
Round 4
Pacquiao really takes it to Mayweather, unleashing a flurry of punches with the American on the ropes. Not sure how many of them actually landed. Fighters back in the centre of the ring now. It's all action from the Filipino. Irish gives it to Pacquiao, he definitely hurt Floys there...
Irish's total: Mayweather 2 Pacquiao 2
Round 3
Pacquiao definitely more aggressive now. But Mayweather is a technical guru remember, he can pick of the Filipino very quickly. Mayweather comes back into it at the end of the round. but nothing major landed by either man. Close up of Mayweather landing one to the body on TV... Irish gives it to Floyd...
Irish's total: Mayweather 2 Pacquiao 1
Round 2
Loud cheers of 'Manny Manny' from the American crowd. Better and more aggressive from Pacquiao in this round. Irish calls it for Pacquiao...
Irish's total: Mayweather 1 Pacquiao 1
Round 1
Cagey start, not many punches being thrown. Boxers feeling each other out. Mayweather probably a bit more aggressive. The bell goes. Irish has round one for Mayweather.
Irish's total: Mayweather 1 Pacquiao 0
8am: It is on! Bang on 8am the bell tolls and punches are flying...
7.54am: Mayweather on his ringwalk...
7.52am: Irish is getting exctied!
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The waiting is over! It's showtime! Pacquiao with beaming smile about to enter the arena. Loud cheers from the crowd. The underdog but the crowd favourite! Pacquiao doing selfies with the team...loud cheers and applause from the fans |
7.50am: Mayweather is now on his way. They are really speeding things up here now. Boos in the crowd...
7.47am: HERE COMES MANNY!!
7.46am: Here's the Philippines anthem from Twitter...
Barong game strrooonnnngggg. #PacquiaoMayweather #titosquad pic.twitter.com/V59Q6rRGL4— Abby Albino (@abbyalbino) May 3, 2015
7.43am: Jamie Foxx is now in the ring singing the US anthem
7.41am: Philippine national anthem is next.
7.39am: The Mexican national anthem is now being blasted out. Moments away now...
7.36am: Here's Manny getting his gloves checked. Would be a bit awkward if they decided the gloves were wrong now!
7.27am: The fight is delayed because they are trying to let as many pay for the pay per view as possible. They obviously haven't made enough money yet...
7.22am: Here's Pacquiao running through his warm-ups behind the scenes. Probably done 2,000 press-ups already today...
7.17am: We can't verify it, but apparently this is an image of the private jet traffic as Las Vegas airport today...
Traffic at the Airport ahead of tonights game cc @Gidi_Traffic #PacquiaoMayweather pic.twitter.com/8pQD24ghZq— Kanny (@OfycialIkan) May 3, 2015
7.14am: There were several crucial milestones on the way to this fight getting made, but the meeting at the NBA match between the two fighters has been hailed as the most important. Here's how we reported it...
7.11am: Not long until the fight now. The boxers will be entering the arena shortly. Here are the five men who have lost to both Mayweather and Pacquiao...
7.09am: Basketball legend Michael Jordan has just pitched up.,.
Time for #PacquiaoMayweather ..Jordan in the house pic.twitter.com/PP4yl5rmA2— #NBA2K16 (@NBA2KGames) May 3, 2015
7.05am: If you're new to boxing, or fancy brushing up on your knowledge, you may fancy a look at our ultimate guide to Mayweather vs Pacquiao, which is here
7am: Here's Irish again:
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"Fans went wild when Pacquiao is shown on the large screen. Few more minutes... the undercard will end... can't wait "Tennis legends Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf are also here... from hollywood stars, politicians to tennis stars! "Mark Walhberg just arrived. Another close friend of Pacquiao." |
6.57am: The penultimate fight of the night between Leo Santa Cruz and Jose Cayetano is in the 10th of 10 rounds. Mayweather vs Pacquiao, the biggest boxing match for decades, is coming right up...
6.51am: Irish has been embedded in the Pacquiao camp all week, having known the boxer and his entourage for several years. Her blog has kept us fully updated, with the latest post here. Further posts here and here.
6.46am: More from Irish...
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"I can feel the excitement and tension now for the main event. Spotted Bradley Cooper "Jimmy Kimmel is also present wearing a Pacquiao t-shirt, showing his full support for the Filipino boxing star." |
6.44am: Here's the spread Gulf News did on the fight on Saturday...
6.38am: Bradley Cooper in the house
Who knew Bradley Cooper was an #Eagles fan? #MayPac pic.twitter.com/yjMlO8Spra— The Sports Junky (@TheSportsJunky1) May 3, 2015
6.34am: Here's Pacquiao's arrival from Twitter...
6.31am: Clint Eastwood is also present, Irish assures me. I'm pretty sure Hollywood has emptied out into the MGM Grand Arena tonight.
6.27am: Jake Gyllenhaal has just been seen arriving at the arena
6.22am: Of course, we would recommend you settle in and follow the fight via this liveblog, but there are other ways. The Gulf News Guides team has compiled a list of venues if you want o make a last minute dash into town. That's here.
And the TV networks in the UAE have it, plus it's free on Du. Details here.
6.15am: A bit more from Irish...
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"Filipino celebrities DJ Mo, Erwin Tulfo and influential politicians Chavit Singson and former Philippine president Joseph Erap Estrada are here to support Pacquiao. Singson is a close friend of Pacquaio. "Manny being interviewed right now. Saying thank you to Mayweather for making this fight happen." |
6.11am: The celebrities are starting to roll in. Michael J Fox and Mixchael Keaton just spotted making their way to their seats. And Denzel Washington has been in for a while now...
6.07am: Irish is in with her first update...
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"Legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum arrived early calm and smiling. Seems his confident that Pacquiao will be victorious tonight "Manny Pacquiao is already inside the dressing room warming up for tonight's mega showdown with Mayweather. "The security is tight here, with the queues for press accreditation the longest I have ever seen. "Excitement is building for a great night." |
5.54am: The undercard is well underway. Vasyl Lomachenko has just beaten Galamlier Rodriguez for the WBO featherweight title. We have one for fight to go before the main event.
5.30am: Welcome fight fans, and everyone else, for you don't need to be a boxing aficionado to appreciate the magnitude of Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao. Finally, the best two boxers in the world are stepping into the same ring and we are here to bring you all the updates.
Gulf News' very own Irish Eden Belleza is one of the lucky members of the press to actually get accreditation in Las Vegas. She will be bringing us on the spot updates as the night develops, so make yourselves comfortable and we will guide you through the action.
