Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios round by round recap

The judges were unanimous in the dominance Pacquiao showed although in disagreement by a small amount. One judge had him pitching a shutout 120 108 while the other judges had it 119 109 and 118 1110.

There is little question that Pacquiao is ready for more big time fights although one against Floyd Mayweather Jr. remains a longshot.

Here is a round by round look at the bout

The judges are Michael Pernick (Florida) Lisa Giampa (Las Vegas) and Manfred Kuchler (Germany).

Round 1 Pacquiao started with confidence landing some straight rights to the body. Pacquiao excited the crowd with some early shots that did little damage. His jabs and left hand seem strong while Rios landed some nice body shots. Rios did slip and took a knee but it was clear it wasn t a knockdown. But it was clear it was the old Pacquiao that was ready for this fight. Very clear who won the first round. Times card Pacquiao 10 Rios 9.

Round 2 The round started with the action more even while it appeared Rios strategy was to go to the body. But Pacquiao appeared fresh and young. Late in the round Pacquiao connected with a strong left to the jaw. Pacquiao hasn t made a mistake yet. Times card Pacquiao wins round 10 9 Pacquiao leads fight 20 18.

Round 3 It seems as if Pacquiao is at his best with strong shots and athleticism in the ring. Rios made a brief rally early in the round when he trapped Pacquiao in a corner. But Pacquiao responded with some strong counterpunching in the middle of the ring to likely win the round. But it was Rios best round. Times card Pacquiao wins round 10 9 Pacquiao leads fight 30 27.

Round 4 Pacquiao seems to be in complete control of the fight. His left jabs seem to have confounded Rios. While neither fighter seems to be in distress Pacquiao is running a clinic on how to win a fight. It s now a question of how long Rios wants to put up with this. Times card Pacquiao wins round 10 9 Pacquiao leads fight 40 36.

Round 5 Pacquiao opened the round with a strong left to the head of Rios and then followed with a good left right combination later in the round. Observers are starting to wonder how longer Rios can last in this fight. Any doubt that Pacquiao s loss to Marquez was going to define the end of his career were sadly mistaken. It s now his fight to finish. Times card Pacquiao wins round 10 9 Pacquiao leads fight 50 45.

Round 6 Pacquiao started the round with a strong left right combination but he seems to have settled down a bit. But as the round progressed Pacquiao got stronger with combinations and even drew a little blood around Rios right eye. The question now seems as if Rios can win a single round or be shutout. Times card Pacquiao wins round 10 9 Pacquiao leads fight 60 54.

Round 7 Anyone who doubted Manny Pacquiao needs to reconsider the future of the 34 year old boxer. He looks young and fresh and his left jabs seems sharp as ever. This round crosses over that Rios would need a knockout to win the fight. Pacquiao holds a 172 88 advantage in punches landed. Times card Pacquiao wins round 10 9 Pacquiao leads fight 70 63.

Round 8 If there was a round that Rios could win this was it. Pacquiao looked a little unsettled and Rios even landed a left shot that connected with his face. But a late flurry by Pacquaio brought the round back to him as Rios looked distressed around the eyes and nose. Times card Pacquiao wins round 10 9 Pacquiao leads fight 80 72.

Round 9 More of the same as it becomes apparent that Pacquiao s only remaining goal is to pitch a shutout. Rios showed a late flurry but it was answered by strong sharp connections by Pacquiao. Rios isn t hurt but he is surely beaten. Both eyes are swollen. Times card Pacquiao wins round 10 9 Pacquiao leads fight 90 81.

Round 10 Pacquiao continued to dominate his overmatched opponent scoring easily with punches that seem to sting but not hurt. Rios is hoping just to make the 12 round finish with no chance of winning the fight. Only a miracle can give Rios the win. Times card Pacquiao wins round 10 9 Pacquiao leads fight 100 90.

Round 11 An early flurry by Pacquiao got the crowd excited but Rios seemed determined to finish the fight. Pacquiao s left continues to connect with modest damage against a fighter that only has a puncher s chance to win. The pace of the fight seems to have slowed but Pacquiao s dominance has not. Times card Pacquiao wins round 10 9 Pacquiao leads fight 110 99.

Round 12 The final round started with Rios realizing he had only one chance and that was knockout but it was clear that the Manny Pacquiao that captivated the world was still around. He jabbed and hit at will. The fact that he didn t drop Rios will not be remembered as a fight that Pacquiao did not close but more that he is as dominant as he ever was. Times card Pacquiao wins round 10 9 Pacquiao wins fight 120 108 (scoring and result unofficial).

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