In the fight nights from Las Vegas, the third match in boxing's latest ring cycle proved to be the best, and maybe most debated, of them all. WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines met a challenge from Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez. It was supposed to provide a conclusive chapter in a wild and entertaining series, and delivered all the drama fans expected.

The two boxers had met twice before, and their aggressive approach in the ring drew comparisons to the all time greats. They fought to a draw in 2004, before Marquez lost his WBC super-featherweight title to Pacquiao in a one-point split decision in 2008.

More than 16,000 fans attended the third installment in Las Vegas Saturday night. Pacquiao, in blue, used a quick left jab at the start and Marquez relied on counter-punching. The Filipino dictated the early pace. Then, Marquez caught Pacquiao with a couple of right-hand body blows in the second round. The third round was evenly-matched. Paquiao struck Marquez with a crunching right hook to the head. Both boxers traded a flurry of counter punches late in the fourth.

The Mexican dominated the fifth round. Marquez hit Pacquiao with searing left uppercuts and crunching right jabs as the bout's intensity grew. Marquez had the better of the seventh round. He landed solid lefts and rights with pinpoint accuracy and cut Pacquiao on the lip, but there would be no knockdowns in the fight. The Filipino picked up the pace in the ninth round. Pacquiao peppered Marquez with a series of combinations and added a new dimension with quick feet to stay out of danger himself.

In the 10th, the 7-to-1 underdog Marquez cut Pacquiao above the right eye. The champ responded by finishing the round with a flurry of solid punches. Each fighter tried to mount a strong finish in the last two rounds. Pacquiao landed a crunching left to Marquez's head late in the 12th and final round, and it was up to the judges to decide the winner. The official statistics sided with Pacquiao. He connected with a higher percentage of punches thrown, 176 of 578 compared to 138 of 436 for Marquez and the champion landed 117 power punches compared to challenger's 100. Pacquiao was tested to the limit before escaping with his WBO welterweight title by majority decision. The 32-year-old Pac-man took as much punishment as he dished out over the 12 rounds, but foot and hand speed made the difference. Pacquiao improved his career record to 54-3-2 with 38 knockouts, in his third fight since claiming a seat in the Filipino national congress. He won his 15th straight bout and earned 22-million U-S dollars.

Marquez saw his record drop to 52-6-1. When reporters asked Pacquiao if he would consider a fourth fight against the man who has always been his toughest opponent, Pacquiao said, "Any time. I am a fighter and my job is to fight in the ring."

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