The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
47°F
Current Conditions
Few clouds
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

Manny Pacquiao knocks Chris Algieri down 6 times, dominates

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao celebrates after defeating Chris Algieri by decision. (Associated Press)
Tim Dahlberg Associated Press
WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao celebrates after defeating Chris Algieri by decision. (Associated Press)

MACAU – Manny Pacquiao got the big knockdowns he so desperately craved, battering Chris Algieri around the ring at will late Saturday on his way to a decision win in one of the most lopsided welterweight title fights imaginable.

Pacquiao chased Algieri from the opening bell, knocking him down repeatedly and dominating. About the only thing Pacquiao didn’t get was his first knockout in five years, settling instead for a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision against an opponent who seemed unwilling to engage.

By the time it was over, Algieri had gone down six times. And Pacquiao had a signature win that should put to rest the idea he’s declining and maybe even set up a fight next year with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao prayed in his corner while waiting for the decision. But it was Algieri who never had a prayer.

Pacquiao knocked Algieri down once in the second round, two more times in the sixth and twice more in the ninth. After a final knockdown in the 10th round, he seemed to back off in a fight that had long been decided.

Two ringside judges scored the bout 119-103 while the third had it 120-102. The Associated Press had Pacquiao winning 120-102.

Pacquiao went into the fight saying he needed a signature win to entice Mayweather to fight him in a bout that boxing fans have wanted for years. He vowed to put on a power performance like some of his earlier fights and did, never letting Algieri get close.

“I really want that fight,” Pacquiao said of Mayweather. “The fans deserve that fight.”

Some of the sold out crowd of 13,202 at the Venetian Macau may have wondered whether Algieri deserved this fight, as he spent more time trying to stay away from Pacquiao than trading punches.

But while Algieri could run, he couldn’t hide. Pacquiao caught him repeatedly with power punches and dropped him as he tried to back away.

“The master boxer was given a master class by professor Pacquiao tonight,” trainer Freddie Roach said. “I was disappointed in Algieri’s performance tonight. All he did was run.”