London - AFP
Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao edged Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez by a majority decision, stretching his win streak to 15 with a narrow verdict in a thrilling fight. Two judges gave Pacquiao the victory by margins of 116-112 and 115-113 while the third scored the fight a 114-114 draw. But the outcome prompted a chorus of boos from Marquez supporters so loud that Pacquiao's post-fight comments into a microphone could not be heard. Pacquiao, who has not lost since 2005, improved to 54-3 with two drawn and kept his World Boxing Organization welterweight title while Marquez fell to 52-5 with one drawn despite an electrifying performance. In some ways, the outcome did little to settle the score of a rivalry that has seen the Asian southpaw win two close decisions after their first fight ended in a draw. Marquez raised his right hand in victory after the final round, only to be denied yet again. He said he felt he won his two prior fights with Pacquiao, a 2004 draw and a 2008 rematch decided by one point on one judge's scorecard.