Late last month, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, returned to Macau for his second big fight, Clash in Cotai II, this time against New York’s undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri.
When Pacquiao fought his first opponent here in November last year, Brandon Rios, he was returning to the ring for the first time in 12 months following two consecutive defeats, including one knockout, and many were questioning his future in the sport.
This time it was a more relaxed and confident looking ‘Fighter of the Decade’ stepping into the ring, having not only won his fight against Rios, but also having claimed victory in his grudge re-match against Timothy Bradley in April.
From early in the morning, thousands of vocal fans packed the Cotai Arena to watch their hero, as well a few celebrities including Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Despite being undefeated and the younger fighter, and having a height advantage, it was always going to be a challenge for Algieri to face an eight-time world champion like Pacquiao. And it wasn’t long after the first touch of gloves that it became clear who was going to control the fight. Pacquiao’s speed and hefty left hook kept Algieri on the defensive and indeed on the run for most of the fight.
Ultimately, the congressman from the Philippines knocked his opponent down six times during the fight, but was not able to get the KO he was hoping for. Instead he won convincingly on points with a unanimous decision after 12 rounds 120-102, 119-103, 119-103, retaining his WBO world welterweight title and keeping hopes alive that we might finally see the fight that everyone really wants, Pacquiao versus WBC welterweight title holder Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Clearly eager to face Mayweather, the ‘Pacman’ had one thing to say: “It’s the fight the fans deserve!”
Clash in Cotai II also proved to be another successful event for the Chinese boxers, who all claimed victories in their respective fights. Local Macau lad KK Ng beat New Zealander Stephen Attard over six rounds. Hong Kong kid Rex Tso defeated Espinos Sabu of Indonesia in eight rounds. And China’s golden hero Zhou Shiming won convincingly over Thailand’s Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym in 12 rounds, despite getting a bad cut above his left eye early on in the fight.
