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The long-awaited boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, dubbed the “Fight of the Century,“ took place on May 2, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This bout was one of the most anticipated and financially lucrative events in the history of the sport, with years of negotiations and public demand leading up to it. Background Both fighters entered the ring with incredible resumes. Floyd Mayweather Jr., often referred to as “Money“ Mayweather, was undefeated with a 47-0 record. Known for his defensive genius, Mayweather had a reputation for outsmarting and outpointing his opponents rather than knocking them out. Manny Pacquiao, the pride of the Philippines, was an eight-division world champion with a 57-5-2 record, renowned for his speed, power, and aggressive style. The fight was seen as a clash between Mayweather's technical precision and Pacquiao's relentless offense. The Fight From the opening bell, the fight unfolded in a manner that highlighted the contrasting styles of the two boxers. Mayweather, as expected, employed his trademark defensive tactics. He used his superior footwork, quick reflexes, and impeccable timing to keep Pacquiao at bay, making it difficult for the Filipino fighter to land significant punches. Mayweather’s jab was a key tool in controlling the pace and distance of the fight. Pacquiao, on the other hand, was the aggressor throughout the match, constantly moving forward and attempting to cut off the ring. He had moments of success, particularly in the fourth round, where he landed a series of punches that seemed to shake Mayweather momentarily. However, Mayweather's defensive skills allowed him to avoid prolonged exchanges, and he consistently tied up Pacquiao whenever the action got too close for comfort. As the rounds progressed, it became clear that Mayweather’s strategy was to frustrate Pacquiao by making him miss and then countering with accurate, if not overly powerful, shots. Pacquiao’s punch output was significantly lower than in his previous fights, partly due to Mayweather’s evasive movement and partly due to a reported shoulder injury that Pacquiao revealed after the fight. The Decision After twelve rounds, the fight went to the judges' scorecards. All three judges scored the fight in favor of Mayweather, with scores of 118-110, 116-112, and 116-112. Mayweather’s victory was largely attributed to his superior defense, ring generalship, and ability to control the tempo of the fight. Pacquiao, who believed he had done enough to win, was visibly disappointed with the decision.
