MANILA, Nov. 24 (PNA)–Filipino ring legend Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao gave his grief-stricken countrymen in the typhoon-devastated areas something to cheer about by dominating Mexican-American Brandon “Bambam” Rios in their welterweight bout on Sunday at the Cotai Arena in Macau.
Ring announcer Michael Buffer introduced Pacquiao saying: “He is back”, before announcing the one-sided scorecards (120-109, 119-109, 118-110).
Buffer was right as the Filipino ring icon regained his old form and showed his superb speed and intimidating combinations that frustrated his younger and taller opponent throughout the fight.
Pacquiao, 34, scored combinations including one that rocked Rios and opened a cut near the right eyelid of Rios in the sixth round.
At the end of the eight round, blood also started to flow near Rios’ left eye as the results of powerful left jabs and crispy combinations.
Rios, 27, tried to get back in the remaining rounds but Pacquiao proved too elusive.
”It’s not only show I have to recover from my two defeats but to give a good show for the boxing fans specially to the affected areas of typhoon,” Pacquiao said in a post-fight interview.
Pacquiao said he will visit the survivors of the super typhoon “Yolanda” upon his return to the Philippines this week.
He wished also to fight again in Las Vegas where he absorbed a knockout loss from arch-rival Juan Manuel Marquez in December last year.
Prior to his defeat to Marquez, Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight title to American Timothy Bradley via split decision in June last year.
Pacquiao now carries a ring again of 55-5-2 (with 39 knockouts) while Rios absorbed his only second defeat.
American Idol finalist Fil-Am Jessica Sanchez sang the national anthem of both the US (Rios) and the Philippines (Pacquiao).
In non-televised bouts, two Filipinos also emerged victorious with Harmonito dela Torre (11-0, 6 KOs) scoring a third-round knockout over Indonesian Jason Butar-Butar and Dan Nazareno Jr. (18-10, 13Kos) pulling second round TKO victory over Liam Vaughan of England (8-2, 2 KOs).
In the televised undercards, Mexican Andy Ruiz Jr. (21-0, 15 KOs) forced New York’s Tor Hamer (21-3, 14 KOs) to quit after four rounds while China’s two time Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming (3-0)came with impressive win over Mexican Juan Toscano (4-1).
In an undercard before Pacquiao-Rios bout, Evgeny Gradovich of Russia defeated Billy Dib of Australia anew, scoring technical knockout in the ninth round to retain the International Boxing Federation (IBF)featherweight title. (PNA)