Manny Pacquiao scores close decision over Juan Manuel Marquez

The official scores were 114-114, 116-112, 115-113 for Manny Pacquiao over Juan Manuel Marquez but the sellout crowd in Las Vegas disagreed. According to the twitter accounts of many boxing writers at ringside - the fight was basically split down the middle. Those in attendance booed the decision loudly and Pacquiao's body language after the fight was not one of a winner.  Pac Man, the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, never seemed to get into a groove. It was a very close fight -- and at times a brilliant one -- but this blog scored it 115-113 for Marquez. 

Pacquiao has dominated Oscar de la Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley and others over recent years. But this is the third time he has fought Marquez and for the third time the decision was disputed. The first fight ended in a draw and Pac Man won a split decision in the second bout.

It would be very difficult to convince most observers that Pacquiao won eight rounds of that fight, as one judge had it. Marquez demonstrated a superior technical skill. Pac Man, to his credit, never stopped moving forward, never stopped pressing the fight. But it appeared Marquez's style was more effective than Pacquiao's substance.

Jim Lampley and Emanuel Steward have missed the point by saying that Marquez was conservative in the final round. That's if you believed Marquez needed that round to win. Many did not. Marquez fought the same even and sharp fight for the entire 12 rounds.

Live blog, below:

The main event is about to start. A very nice tribute to Joe Frazier going on right now. Up next, Manny Pacquiao defends his WBO welterweight title against Juan Manuel Marquez.

Here's our live blog:

Three national anthems and a highlight reel of the first two Pacquiao-Marquez fights. We are finally ready for the main event.