Manny Pacquiao vs. Chris Algieri Results: Round-by-Round Analysis and Recap
It's all over now in Macau, China, as Manny Pacquiao retained his WBO welterweight title in a romp over a game but severely overmatched challenger, Chris Algieri. The Long Island native's "Rocky" story came up against grim reality, as he tasted the canvas six times over the course of the fight.
With limited punching power, Algieri attempted to follow a similar strategy as the one that took him to victory last June against Ruslan Provodnikov, mixing defensive movement with a busy jab and straight-right combinations.
But Pacquiao showed that he is at an entirely different level than Provodnikov. Algieri ultimately had no answer for Pac-Man's aggressive speed and dizzying use of angles.
Somehow Algieri managed to last the distance against the superstar. Still, the fight was nearly as one-sided as possible.
Judges Levi Martinez and Patrick Morley scored the fight 119-103 for Pacquiao. Michael Pernick had it a complete shutout at 120-102.
Given the inexperience and obscurity of Algieri, I'm not sure how much of a bump Pacquiao's stock will take from the win. However, he looked as quick and sharp as ever. He maintained a very active work rate and finished strong.
Round 1
1 of 12
Algieri looked to establish his jab almost from the opening bell. Pacquiao threw a straight left early and came back with a right hook to the body. Both shots were partially blocked.
Pacquiao landed a good right hook at about two minutes, catching Algieri off balance. Pacquiao continued to cut off the ring, trapping Algieri in the corner twice. Algieri was able to escape, but it was not without taking a shot both times.
By the end of the round, Pacquiao seemed unconcerned with Algieri's punches. He continued to come forward, looking to land heavy shots.
It was not a dominant round for either fighter, but it clearly belonged to Pacquiao from my perspective.
Round 2
2 of 12
At the start of the round, Algieri was already showing swelling on his left eye. But he landed a nice left hook early in the round.
Pacquiao continued to apply pressure. About one minute into the round, Pacquiao got a complete gift when the referee incorrectly ruled a slip a knockdown.
Algieri continued to move and evade for most of the round. Pacquiao had yet to land a really destructive punch in this fight, though he was clearly winning.
Round 3
3 of 12
Algieri continued to show good movement, but his punch rate was much lower in the early rounds of this fight than it was against Provodnikov. It was clear that the speed and angles of Pacquiao created an entirely higher order of problems.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao relentlessly came forward, attempting to force the action. Pacquiao was certainly not finding it easy to cut the ring off on Algieri.
Algieri landed some of his better jabs and straight rights in this round, but he still took the worst of the exchanges. Pacquiao landed a very nice right hook with about 14 seconds left.
Round 4
4 of 12
Algieri's corner sounded happy with how the fight was unfolding in the corner between rounds. But one had to question how successful a low-power puncher could be giving up this many rounds early to Pacquiao, especially considering the knockdown in Round 2.
Halfway through this round, Pacquiao managed to connect with a very hard uppercut. He was clearly intent on landing hard punches to the body and then shifting upstairs, and the plan paid off.
Inside of 30 seconds, Pacquiao landed a big left hand. Algieri connected with a nice right-hand lead inside of the final 10 seconds.
Algieri was actually more active in this round than the previous three.
Round 5
5 of 12
Algieri went back to using a very strong jab at the start of this round and connected with a sharp straight right just under a minute in. It was clear that Algieri had come out for the fifth round ready to let his hands go.
Pacquiao attempted to counter, but Algieri's footwork consistently moved him out of danger. As the round moved toward the final seconds, Pacquiao became more aggresive, but he ended up walking into some punches.
I would have to say Algieri won this round, narrowly. But he's down four.
Round 6
6 of 12
Algieri was back at working the jab as the mid-point round began. Pacquiao continued to show aggression.
Algieri was doing a good job of moving away from trouble when Pacquiao landed a starching blow at about 1:20, rocking Algieri. Pacquiao sprung forward aggressively and knocked Algieri down.
It was a pressure knockdown, but it was a legitimate one. With Algieri back on his feet, Pacquiao continued in killer mode. He dropped Algieri again in the corner. Algieri complained he had slipped on water, but he fell directly off from receiving a blow, so it was another legit knockdown.
A very big round for Pacquiao. With the fight half over, it's probably out of reach on the scorecards for Algieri.
Round 7
7 of 12
Algieri did not get hurt badly by the knockdowns in the previous rounds, as both were partly attributable to Algieri losing his footing. However, the challenger entered the second half of the fight way behind on the cards.
Algieri continued to pump the jab and move while Pacquiao studied him patiently, flurrying over the top of his jab near the one-minute mark.
Overall, it was a less aggresive round for Pacquiao. Clearly in control of the fight, Pacquiao continued to dictate the action.
Round 8
8 of 12
Algieri's corner attempted to pump their fighter up between rounds, insisting that Pacquiao was "tired." I admire the positive talk in the face of mounting defeat, but Pacquiao had hardly looked tired at any point during the fight.
Algieri looked to let his hands go more in this round, but that merely allowed Pacquiao more openings to attack. Pacquiao was almost matter-of-fact in stalking and landing on Algieri in this round. He landed nothing really heavy, but he banked another round.
Round 9
9 of 12
Algieri was once more on his toes, looking to pump his jab at the start of this round. Pacquiao remained patient, looking to catch Algieri coming forward with the left hand.
At just under two minutes into the round, Pacquiao landed a brutal straight left, knocking Algieri straight onto his back. It was the biggest punch Pacquiao had landed all fight long, but Algieri somehow made it up by the count of nine.
Pacquiao swarmed, and the pressure forced Algieri to take a knee. Back up, Algieri showed his characteristic heart, though he had to hold on for everything he was worth to survive the round.
Round 10
10 of 12
Algieri's corner kept up with the Dale Carnegie routine between rounds, telling their fighter, "Chris, we're right where we want to be right now." However, I had him 13 points down on my own card, and I think I had it scored as generously as possible for Algieri, actually giving him the fifth round.
Pacquiao actually seemed to step off the gas a bit in this round. Algieri was moving well on the outside, showing great recovery.
Still, Pacquiao once again managed to catch up with Algieri and score a sixth knockdown with just 15 seconds left in the round.
Algieri rose, looking more discouraged than hurt.
Round 11
11 of 12
For the amount of punishment Algieri had taken in this fight, he did look remarkably fresh as the penultimate round began. His legs were still springy, and his jab was still pumping.
But Pacquiao was clearly in complete control, easily picking his spots to land his shots.
Algieri clearly had no way to get back in the fight, but he continued to do what he could to stay on the outside. With 20 seconds, Pacquiao landed a hard left and then another one. Algieri took them and kept moving, somehow making it to the end of another round.
Round 12
12 of 12
Needing a knockout to win, Algieri looked desperately for the straight right in the final round. However, Pacquiao wanted the knockout for his own reasons and engaged in perhaps his most wide-open round of the fight.
Pacquiao landed more hard shots and fought strong to the end. Both fighters looked remarkably fresh and well-conditioned for such an active fight as the final bell rang.
Algieri somehow survived the entire fight, though I'm not sure he will take much of a moral victory from that fact.
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