Manny Pacquiao battles Antonio Margarito for the vacant WBC light middleweight title tonight at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. On the pay-per-view undercard Guillermo Rigondeaux faces Ricardo Cordoba in a super bantamweight bout, welterweights Mike Jones and Jesus Soto Karass collide, as well as a light welterweight bout between Brandon Rios and Omri Lowther. Join us right here at 9pm ET for live coverage of all the bouts. Remember to refresh this page for the latest updates.
Welcome to Inside Fights live coverage of tonight’s boxing event.
Brandon Rios vs. Omri Lowther
Referee: Raul Caiz Jr
Round 1
Rios comes into the fight overweight and not looking to be in very good shape. Lowther dances on the outside while Rios stalks and fights with a slow prod. Rios corners Lowther and lands a good left to he body followed by a right up top but Lowther spins out of harm’s way. Rios puts Lowther against the ropes and a nice exchange results. Lowther is throwing punches but Rios blocks most of his shots.
Rios 10-9
Round 2
Rios gets into an early clinch and does some dirty boxing, landing a good right uppercut. Lowther misses two hayemakers and Rios follows with a flush counter right. Rios waits for Lowther to empty his chamber and lands a nice overhand right. Lowther is hunching over and leaving his hands down. Rios is landing those shots with ease. Lowther tries to fight his way out of the corner but his punches are having little effect on Rios.
Rios 10-9
Round 3
Lowther is trying to outbox Rios but he just doesn’t have enough pop to do anything to force him back, or anywhere for that matter. Rios has Lowther on the run. His counters are effectless. Rios is consistently snapping Lowther’s head back with straights. Rios is putting his jabs together well. Lowther puts together a solid combination in the final seconds which promtps a smile from Rios.
Rios 10-9
Round 4
Lowther is clinching more and Rios is hitting at the body with his free hand. Rios is stalking and Lowther is becoming an easier prey to search out. Rios lands a good one-two with Lowther’s back against the ropes. More exchanges this round as Lowther is throwing caution to the wind. More smiles from Rios, although these are as a result of him landing more solid shots.
Rios 10-9
Round 5
Rios isn’t throwing as much this round and Lowther is slipping punches through the guard of Rios. Rios with a clubbing left. Rios hurts Lowther and goes in for the kill. Lowther retreats to the corner. A left-right started things off and a right hook staggers Lowther into the ropes is enough for Caiz to stop the fight.
Winner: Brandon Rios by TKO at 2:17 of R5
Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Ricardo Cordoba
Referee: John Schorle
Round 1
Rigondeaux comes into this fight with one of the best amateur resumes to date. Both guys are very fast. Rigondeaux’s trunks are so long that it makes the Fab Five’s shorts look like John Stockton’s. Lots of feinting as this round is a feelout process. Rigondeaux jumps in and Cordoba catches him into a clinch. Rigondeaux is bouncing around landing just enough to carry the round.
Rigondeaux 10-9
Round 2
Cordoba presses the action to start round two. Rigondeaux with a nice left to get back into the round. Both men circle in the center of the ring staying away from the ropes. Rigondeaux is pacing himself whereas Cordoba seems to be expending a lot of energy. Rigondeaux lands the better punches.
Rigondeaux 10-9
Round 3
Rigondeaux is fighting with a lot of confidence. Cordoba is throwing but Rigondeaux is slick and avoids his jabs. They are keeping a big distance between each other. Rigondeaux looks like Ivan Calderon with his avoidance. Cordoba is swinging at air.
Rigondeaux 10-9
Round 4
Rigondeaux is pateient but picking his spots well. So well that a well-placed body shot puts Cordoba down to one knee. Cordoba gets back up at 9. Rigondeaux attacks the body more but with little success. Rigondeaux throws some uppercuts. Rigondeaux backs off once it’s clear that Cordoba isn’t in danger. Rigondeaux is looking fresh while Cordoba already looks defeated.
Rigondeaux 10-8
Round 5
They are exchanging jabs but no effect on Rigondeaux. Cordoba is still whiffing. It’s not even that Rigondeaux is so elusive now. Cordoba looks to be going through the motions, throwing his punches regardless of where Rigondeaux is. Rigondeaux uses more body work to win the round.
Rigondeaux 10-9
Round 6
Rigondeaux is allowing Cordoba to dictate the pace leaving Rigondeaux as the counterpuncher. Rigondeaux is hit and his knee touches the canvas, officially recorded as a knockdown, the first in his professional and supposedly amateur career. A jab as Rigondeaux was coming in led to the knockdown.
Cordoba 10-8
Round 7
Cordoba continues to dictate the pace and distance by flicking his jab. Rigondeaux goes body head and pushes Cordoba down to the canvas. No knockdown called. Rigondeaux turns aggressive in the final seconds. Cordoba explodes to the body but it was too little too late.
Rigondeaux 10-9
Round 8
Rigondeaux is shuffling along the outside of the ring. Cordoba chases but it is a slow round. One good combination from Rigondeaux is the lone highlight.
Rigondeaux 10-9
Round 9
Rigondeaux is throwing combinations and looking far more crisp this round. That is, until Cordoba catches him backing up and turns the momentum. Cordoba is fighting with more purpose. Cordoba lands more good shots, none hurting Rigondeaux, but enough to take the round.
Cordoba 10-9
Round 10
Rigondeaux continues to allow Cordoba to set the pace. Cordoba is chasing. Rigondeaux hits a good counter right as Cordoba feints. These rounds are boring myself as well as the crowd that was hot after a good opening fight.
Rigondeaux 10-9
Round 11
Rigondeaux is taunting by hanging his hands low. Rigondeaux is sidestepping, Cordoba is swinging and missing. This is awful. They have so far combined to land less than 200 punches this fight. I can’t wait for this to be over. Rigondeaux didn’t even throw this round and it was no Willie Pep performance.
Cordoba 10-9
Round 12
Rigondeaux pops in and right into a clinch. Cordoba is at least trying to push the action. He is going after Rigondeaux while he does nothing but run. Rigondeaux has the gall to taunt at the bell while appearing to not even throw a punch in the final six minutes.
Cordoba 10-9
Inside Fights: 115-111 Rigondeaux
Scorecards: 114-112 Cordoba, 117-109 Rigondeaux, 114-112 Rigondeaux
Winner: Guillermo Rigondeaux by split decision
Mike Jones vs. Jesus Soto Karass
Referee: Rafael Ramos
Round 1
Both start out swinging for the fences. Jones looks huge. Jones is circling on the outside with Karass pressing the action. Jones wobbles Karass at the end of a round that started off strong and continued on at a lethargic pace.
Jones 10-9
Round 2
Jones is throwing heavy lefts but few land. Jones hurts Karass and backs him against the ropes. Jones UNLOADS on Karass. Karass gets a headbutt in there but Jones keeps coming at him. Jones lands at least 50 power shots while Karass does his best to keep just busy enough to keep the fight from stopping. Jones tires with 30 seconds left and Karass swings the momentum back in his favor to keep the round from being 10-8. Karass is cut over his right eye.
Jones 10-9
Round 3
Karass comes out firing as Jones still seems tired from the last round. Karass is cut over his left eye as well and the crowd is back in this fight after the snoozer in the last fight. Jones does little while Karass chases and hammers away. Karass lands a punch after the bell.
Karass 10-9
Round 4
Karass isn’t pretty but he’s getting the job done. Jones needs to pick the pace back up because he is allowing Karass to catch up. Karass is slowly attacking. He lands to the body and the head. The only offense Jones is showing is feinting just to keep Karass at a distance.
Karass 10-9
Round 5
Jones is circling on the outside and flicking his jab out there. Jones is against the ropes and getting caught. Karass is streaming blood from his right eye. Karass is showing little in defense. He’s open to get hit but Jones is running more than throwing.
Karass 10-9
Round 6
Karass is showing a lot of heart. He’s coming forward admirably despite the mess on his face. Jones is leaning against the ropes while Karass goes to the body. Jones goes after the cut by the right eye of Karass, throwing lefts. Jones is coming back and landing good counters this round.
Jones 10-9
Round 7
Jones is getting his swagger back. Jones snaps Karass’ head back multiple times in the center of the ring. Jones has his legs back and that is a huge advantage against the plodding Karass. Jones combos the body and lands a great left hook off of it. Jones is laboring in the corner but he’s looking good so far.
Jones 10-9
Round 8
They exchange body shots. Jones is trying to stick and move but Karass is landing some good hooks to the body. Jones stumbles into the ropes for a brief jolt of excitement but the followup from Karass proves Jones wasn’t hurt. They are fighting forehead to forehead and landing uppercuts in a quality round of action.
Jones 10-9
Round 9
Jones works the cut some more and the ref calls a pause to the bout so the doctor can check it out. Everything is ruled to be okay and the fight continues. Karass is going with quick, short punches while Jones opts for looping hooks. Jones is cut over his right eye. Karass jumps in with a right and Jones counters with a good left.
Jones 10-9
Round 10
Jones starts with a body attack and Karass responds with a left upstairs. Karass ducks behind his guard and saunters in. Jones uses the opportunity to work the body and that opens up the head. Karass is caught by two hooks. Big left hook from Jones. Followed by a one-two. Karass misses a looping right. Jones with a short right uppercut.
Jones 10-9
Inside Fights scores it: Jones 97-93
Scorecards: 94-94, 95-94, 97-93
Winner: Mike Jones by majority decision
There are all kinds of lockerroom drama and head games being played by both Team Pacquiao and Team Margarito heading into the main event. Robert Garcia, Margarito’s trainer, claimed an unchecked piece of tape was used in Manny’s handwraps. A Team Pacquiao member says he saw Margarito take hydroxicut, which contains ephedra, a banned substance in boxing. Nothing really comes from all the griping as the commission calls it merely head games. The fight will go on, No worries.
So I went to a Pacquiao-Margarito fight and a Nelly concert broke out. Nelly performs forever after the national anthems and for some reason I am being subjected to it before the main event. Let’s move it on fellas. This is a 30-minute commercial for his upcoming CD. I don’t watch boxing for musical acts. Unless, of course, R. Kelly is doing the national anthem.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito
Referee: Laurence Cole
Antonio Margarito enters the ring to mariachi music.
Manny Pacquiao comes out to a “Thunderstruck” intro by AC/DC and then moves on to “The Best Around” by Joe Espisito.
Round 1
They meet in the center of the ring. Margarito has a 17 pound weight advantage after rehydrating. Margarito is working the jab. Pacquiao is trying to duck the jab and get into the body. Pacquiao lands some good shots through the guard. Margarito lands consecutive jabs while Manny comes over the top with a left hook to the head. Margarito sticks the jab some more. Pacquiao is much quicker.
Pacquiao 10-9
Round 2
Margarito is hunching over and fighting to Manny’s height. Margarito is starting to open up more but it only allows for a quicker flurry from PacMan. The crowd is eating this up. Pacquiao is getting hit by some Margarito hooks in the corner. Margarito goes back into his shell and works the jab again. Pacquiao ends with a good flurry.
Pacquiao 10-9
Round 3
Margarito guards and Pacquiao treats him like a heavy bag. The thuds can be heard throughout Cowboys Stadium. Margarito stands in the center while Pacquiao circles. A big left gets through by Manny and follows up with a big combo that forces a smile from Margarito. Pacquiao is simply outworking Margarito this round. He’s too fast for Margarito right now.
Pacquiao 10-9
Round 4
Pacquiao is firing his left straight right through the gloves of Margarito. Pacquiao is landing head shots at will. Pacquiao is in the zone right now. He can’t miss. Margarito’s face is starting to redden and he has a mouse under his right eye. Pacquiao pours it on and Margarito is on wobbly legs for a second. Margarito backs up and Pacquiao unloads more. The swelling under the eye of Margarito is huge. Vision will be a problem.
Pacquiao 10-9
Round 5
Margarito has abandoned the jab and goes at Pacquiao. Pacquiao is against the ropes and eats some good shots from Margarito, including an uppercut. Pacquiao claps his gloves together and responds with an intense flurry of his own. Margarito goes in again and is trying to engage in a brawl. Pacquiao is getting in and out, although the reach of Margarito still allows him to get a shot in. Pacquiao is in a groove and dominating the fight.
Pacquiao 10-9
Round 6
Margarito chases and Manny is picking him off. Margarito is now lumbering in and Manny is too accurate for Margarito to avoid. Pacquiao is giving Margarito no rest period. When Margarito pauses to regroup, Manny plants three shots to the head. Great finish to the round when Margarito rips off two clean body punches. Pacquiao retreats to the corner and Margarito starts off a thrilling exchange. Pacquiao looked to be in trouble for a second but he made it out.
Margarito 10-9
Round 7
Margarito is slow. Manny is dancing around him, hitting from all angles. Margarito’s entire left side of his face is red. Pacquiao is throwing 6 or 7 punches to every 1 or 2 that Margarito throws. Pacquiao is all over the ring and all over Margarito. He looks fresh while Margarito looks like raw hamburger meat.
Pacquiao 10-9
Round 8
Manny avoids danger from Margarito by his crafty footwork. Manny takes a lot of punishment, especially to the body, and Margarito creats a nervous moment for Pacquiao fans. That is, until Manny turns it around and unloads on Margarito. Manny returns every Margarito rally with a more impressive one of his own. Margarito had a good round but Manny is on his game tonight. A lot of great exchanges in this round.
Pacquiao 10-9
Round 9
Margarito is still stalking, Manny is still landing at will. Manny snaps Margarito’s head back with a quick straight right. Margarito is fighting like the Margarito of old and Pacquiao is making this into an awesome fight, despite the one-sided nature of it. Manny is countering off of counters and it’s beautiful to watch.
Pacquiao 10-9
Round 10
The swelling is getting so bad, that referee Laurence Cole holds his fingers up in front of Margarito’s face to find out if he can see them. He passes the test and the fight resumes. Margarito is slowing down. His punches are getting softer. Pacquiao seems content to put his back on the ropes, knowing he can move around the ring wherever and whenever he wants. Margarito is frozen with a right but holds on to survive the round. He is taking a beating.
Pacquiao 10-9
Round 11
Margarito is standing in the center of the ring and getting peppered. Cole checks his vision once more. Fight continues. Margarito is as valiant as they come. He has nothing left. Pacquiao is bludgeoning him and looking to the ref, wondering what more he has to do to get this fight stopped.
Pacquiao 10-9
Round 12
Margarito wants to continue fighting. Pacquiao is carrying Margarito now. He’s staying busy but not going in for the kill. Margarito paws with the jab. Margarito is landing at will. Margarito is going for the moral victory of making it the distance. And he’s going to get it as Manny lets off the gas.
Pacquiao 10-9
Inside Fights: 119-109
Scorecards: 120-108, 118-110, 119-109
Winner: Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision
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