LAS VEGAS, United States – It was an unusual sight.

After the winner was announced, there were cheers – but many in the arena were also silent, if not booing.

On Saturday, May 2, Floyd Mayweather Jr defeated Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision in their 12-round unification bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, a fight that took over 5 years to make.

But the pro-Pacquiao crowd was not happy. 

The crowd that spilled out of the arena were unsmiling and sullen. Even Mayweather fans were not cheering loudly – perhaps because they were the minority. 

To most international sports analysts, it was a decisive victory for the undefeated American.

Some fans, however, were not thrilled with how the fight turned out. 

Pacquiao fan Darwin Miranda, who flew to Vegas from Toronto to watch the fight, did not see the type of flurry of punches and exchanges he was hoping for. He said Mayweather ran away most of the fight. 

“We’re very upset. I think Manny had to be a little more busy. You can’t fight somebody that doesn’t want to fight. Mayweather runs around. He boxes, he doesn’t fight. What sells the fight is the fight. Manny Pacquioa sells fights because he fights. Everybody loves him. Mayweather sells fights because he talks,” he said. 

“I wanted Manny to knock him out. I think Floyd was just running around the whole fight.”

Another Pacquiao fan, Paul Palasios, agreed that Mayweather’s style was not very entertaining.

“My opinion is Mayweather has a traditional way of winning. Hitting people, not trying to knock him out. That’s what happened in this fight. Manny needed to be aggressive,” he said.

Palasios conceded, however, that Pacquiao could have attacked and pressured his opponent more.

“Manny wasn’t aggressive in this fight. I’m very disappointed. My heart just went down after he lost. I go to Vegas every time Manny fights. So this is vey disappointing for me. I really wanted him to win this fight,” he said. 

“He fought well but I think he had a hard time against Mayweather. He is the better fighter not to knock (Manny) out but to win.” 

Rematch?

But while Pacquiao fans were unhappy with what they viewed as Mayweather’s non-entertaining fighting style, Mayweather’s fans praised their pick for his precision and ring smarts.

A Mayweather fan from Missouri, who goes by the name of Ku, said Mayweather stuck with his usual defensive style and it worked.

“I think Floyd did what exactly he has always done. Nothing different. He was consistent,” he said. “(The fight) was as great as I thought it would be. I’m happy, I spent all my money. I’ve got no complaints.”

Ku said the fight could have been better though if Pacquiao “just worked on perfecting what he does best… which is a lot of shots,” agreeing with the Pacquiao fans that he could have been more aggressive.

He added, “I think Floyd is just Floyd. When it comes down to it, it’s like creme de la creme.” 

Another Mayweather fan, Art Louis, said Pacquiao “has the speed and agility” to challenge Mayweather, but “when it comes to Floyd, I feel like he didn’t really (perform).” 

Louis also said he “wouldn’t mind” a rematch, something Ku disagreed on.

“I don’t want to see a rematch. I don’t think it’s worth it. It’s a waste of my money,” he said.  

At the fight, Pacquiao fans waved Filipino flags and donned shirts with Pacquiao’s name and Philippine colors, yelling “Manny! Manny! Manny!”

Mayweather die-hards were decked out in caps and shirts emblazoned with “TMT.” The acronym stands for “The Money Team,” Mayweather’s slogan. Mayweather is the highest paid athlete in the world.

Online, Filipino netizens expressed surprise at the results. They felt that Pacquiao was the more aggressive fighter and should have won more rounds.

Statistics from Compubox, however, agreed with the judges’ decisions. 

Pacquiao’s stats said he landed 81 of the 429 punches he threw, a connect percentage of 19%, while Mayweather landed 148 of his 435 total punches thrown, giving him a 34% connect percentage.

Mayweather also landed 67 of his 267 jabs, while Pacquiao only landed 18 of his 193. Pacquiao was also down in his power punches, landing 63 of his 236, while Mayweather landed 81 of 168. – Rappler.com