By Amy Green

Steven Luevano-Terdsak Jandaeng

 

Babyfaced Steven Luevano (35-1) survived a fourth-round knockdown to finish a tough contest against Thailand’s Terdsak Jandaeng (29-2) with skill and composure and retained the WBO featherweight title.

 

Kandaeng brought constant pressure, power and a dangerous left hand to challenge the WBO champ. Luevano responded through the fight by controlling the ring, changing directions and with the exception of hitting the canvas once, established distance from close range danger of Jandaeng’s only potent weapon- the left hand.

Luevano climbed off the canvas and rallied back with calm under pressure that seems to be a trademark of certain fighters managed by Cameron Dunkin in rounds five and six, with a 58-10 Compubox advantage over Jandaeng. That punch output definitely reflected by the swelling on Jandaeng’s face as the fight progressed, with Luevano scoring the record number of jabs thrown for a featherweight as he gained the unanimous decision.

The fight was punctuated by an eighth round low blow by Jandaeng, and in the eleventh round, Luevano tasted another nasty left that knocked his mouthpiece loose, which he readjusted with one hand while still maintaining his defense against Jandaeng.

 

Luevano controlled the fight against the powerfully built Jandaeng with precision counter punching but the fight possessed enough elements of style from both fighters to make this title bout a co-main event that entertained enough to keep fight fans watching and guessing.

 

Manny Pacquiao- Juan Manuel Marquez

Four years after their disappointing draw, Manny Pacquiao ( 45-3-2) won the WBC and Ring Magazine super featherweight titles by split decision. The third round ended up the deciding factor in the narrow victory. Starting the round almost reluctantly Pacquiao nailed Marquez (48-4-1)  with a tight left hook with 23 seconds to go in the round and had it not been for the ropes would have scored a second knockdown to end the round. The final judges’ tally was 115-112 and 113-111 Pacquiao and 115-112 for Marquez. The HBO team was at odds, with Larry Merchant ruling the contest a draw, and Harold Lederman giving it to Pacquiao 115-112.

 

After Pacquiao's hell bent performance in their first match, this fight was eagerly awaited and now will likely be debated. This time around, Pacquiao was more technical, displaying his trademark all out aggression a little more wisely while Marquez sought to dictate the pace and defuse Pacquiao’s offense. Round seven featured an accidental headbutt from a clash of heads which gave Marquez ammunition in the eighth round as he targeted Pacquiao’s right eye which caused some annoyance for the Filipino hero but was expertly repaired by cut man Joe Chavez between rounds. Round nine Pacquiao displayed more momentum, unleashing a left that had Marquez sporting a second cut on the right eye by the rounds end.

Marquez absorbed tough Pacquiao lefts in the tenth, his right eye hammered into an ugly open gash that trainer/cut man Ignacio Beristain was not nearly as successful at keeping sealed as Joe Chavez was across the ring in Pacquiao’s corner. The final two rounds were close with Pacquiao displaying a bit more defense than usual and blocking many of Marquez’ best efforts in the eleventh. Round twelve ticked by with neither fighter willing to let it all go and get caught with a career costing mistake in the end.

 

So after four years- was this fight all that it was expected to be? Yes and no. Yes, this performance by Manny Pacquaio showed improvement at the hands of trainer Freddie Roach. He’s gained dimension and displays more skill with both hands, utilizes a few more defensive tactics and his balance and upper body movement have improved. There was more reserve and less impulse. But even with those changes for the good, at times this fight cried out for Manny to combine the old with the new and thoroughly, decisively thrash Marquez and leave no question that he is the fighter that dominated, retired and defeated every Mexican warrior in his path.