Manny Pacquiao throws a punch at Floyd Mayweather Jr. who dismayed fans by evading the blows with defensive tactics at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. (INQUIRER PHOTO)
While many disagree with the outcome of the colossal fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas, boxing experts in Cebu believe the result was legitimate.
But they were also one in saying that judge David Moretti’s score was absurd.
Both Glenn Feidman and Burt Clements scored it 116-112 for Mayweather while Moretti had it at 118-110 also in favor of the undefeated American.
Tony Aldeguer, founder of the famous ALA Boxing Gym and chairman of ALA Promotions International, said Mayweather clearly won the fight but with closer scores.
“Painful as it may seem, Mayweather won that fight. But I had [the scores] a little closer,” Aldeguer said, “Moretti’s score is ridiculous but Manny simply could not hit Mayweather solidly.”
Aldeguer said the fight would have been better had Mayweather engaged Pacquiao more. “It was not a great fight because Floyd elected to run more.”
ALA Boxing Gym chief trainer Edito Villamor, a former world title contender, didn’t agree with Moretti’s score as well.
“I strongly disagree with the 118-110 score of Dave Moretti,” he said. “I saw the bout 115-113 in favor of Mayweather.”
Villamor said the last four rounds were the most crucial for Pacquiao.
“In the last four rounds, I think Manny lost it. He was controlled by Mayweather’s pace and Mayweather was more confident in those rounds. The last four rounds is a mental game for a boxer and it seemed like Mayweather had the edge on that,” he added.
Edito’s brother, Edmund Villamor, another veteran trainer of the ALA Boxing Gym, also shared the same thoughts.
“I saw the bout 115-113, in favor of Mayweather but the 118-110 score of David Moretti was unacceptable,” he said. “Pacquiao had a good fight, he studied Mayweather’s style but the latter’s gameplan prevailed and his jab really dictated the pace of the bout.”
Even international referee and analyst Danrex Tapdasan thought the right boxer won although he also saw closer scores.
“But it doesn’t matter. Floyd imposed his will and frustrated Manny in majority of the rounds. Manny did not push Mayweather enough in the last three rounds. Mayweather swept the last three rounds, which won him the fight,” Tapdasan said.
Despite the loss, Aldeguer thought Pacquiao had nothing to be ashamed of.
“For me, there’s nothing out there for Manny to prove anymore. He has achieved something no other Filipino boxers or any Filipino for that matter could ever achieve,” Aldeguer said.
He said it was the right time for Pacquiao to leave boxing and concentrate on something else.
“He should bid boxing goodbye. There are a lot of other things he can do for the country. He’s one of the greatest fighters of all time. No doubt he is also a great human being.”
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