Boxing: Manny Pacquiao retains title

Manny Pacquiao won a majority verdict against Juan Manuel Marquez to retain his WBO welterweight title.

The Filipino fighter had beaten his Mexican opponent in similar fashion in 2008, four years after an epic draw between the pair, and he narrowly claimed victory once more as the trilogy was completed.

Both fighters attempted to strike a victorious pose after the conclusion of the 12 rounds, but Pacquiao was awarded the fight 115-113 and 116-112 by judges Dave Moretti and Glenn Trowbridge, with Robert Hoyle scoring it as a draw.

Pacquiao shaded the early exchanges, which were unusually cagey, and stepped up with a two-punch combo to the head in round four.

But Marquez hit back with a crashing straight right in the fifth and Pacquiao's corner had to give him a pep talk.

Marquez drew blood from his opponent's mouth and landed two good body shots in round eight, but Pacquiao responded as the next produced the most big shots of any round to date.

A slip by Marquez and a Pacquiao claim for a headbutt followed and, despite a late flurry from the Mexican, Pacquiao was the one left celebrating.

PA