ESPY Winners: Jeremy Lin, Tim Tebow And LeBron James Win At 2012 ESPYS Awards

James won a leading three individual trophies, including male athlete of the year, and shared in another at the 20th annual show celebrating the year's best athletes and moments in sports.

He wasn't on hand to accept because he was in Las Vegas with the rest of the U.S. national team preparing for the upcoming London Olympics.

James outpolled tennis player Novak Djokovic, Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in fan voting for male athlete honors. He also won in the championship performance and NBA player categories, while sharing in the best team award, with Juwan Howard and Mike Miller accepting for the Heat.

"He's had a magnifying glass on him since he was 17 years old and I think he's handled himself really, really well," Miller said of James backstage. "Unbelievable teammate, unbelievable father, so those are the most important things. He's just a likeable guy. He's a great basketball player to boot."

Baylor basketball star Brittney Griner won two trophies, including female athlete of the year in which she beat out French Open champion Maria Sharapova, skier Lindsay Vonn and soccer player Abby Wambach.

Quarterback Robert Griffin III, who like Griner starred at Baylor, won male college athlete honors. Griner took female college athlete honors for leading the Lady Bears to a 40-0 record and the NCAA championship.

UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen Fight Video Result

The most anticipated rematch in UFC history took less then seven minutes to play out.

In a bout two years in the making, Anderson Silva pounced on a mistake made by his most heated rival, Chael Sonnen, and quickly finished the bout. Silva, who has been UFC middleweight champion for nearly six years, retained his title via TKO at 1:55 of the second round in the main event of UFC 148.
In their first bout in the summer of 2010 at UFC 117 in Oakland, Sonnen dominated Silva for four-and-a-half rounds before Silva scored a stunning submission victory, the first time in UFC history a fighter won the first four rounds and then lost in the fifth.

It seemed like more of the same in round one at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, as Sonnen, a former collegiate wrestler from West Linn, Ore., instantly scored a takedown on Silva and spent the entire round working him over from top position.

In the second round, though, Sonnen went for a spinning back elbow, a rarely used, flashy move, and missed wildly, landing on the canvas. Silva responded with a knee to the body and several right hands before referee Yves Levigne stopped the fight.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this sport is the best sport in the world," said Silva. "Me and Chael work hard for all the people here. Chael disrespected my country, but that's fine. That is nothing for me. This is a sport, this is UFC. Yeah."

With the win, Silva added to several UFC records, including consecutive wins (15) and successful title defenses (10).

Earlier in the evening on the same fight card, former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz let it all hang out in the final fight of his career.

But the man who helped put the modern-day UFC on the map came up short, losing the third fight of his trilogy with fellow former champion Forrest Griffin.

Ortiz (16-11-1), who was champion from 2000-03, had his moments in the bout and decisively won the third round, but the judges scored the bout 29-28 across the board for Griffin.

In a bizarre post fight scene, Griffin, thinking he had lost, fled the Octagon, and had to be forced to return to the cage. The crowd booed Griffin lustily after being announced as the winner.

Ortiz, of Huntington Beach, Calif., reiterated after the bout that he was done."I gave it my all," Ortiz told Griffin. "I gave it my all. This is my last fight tonight. I've been doing this for 15 years, man."

Ortiz won their first bout in 2006 via split decision; Griffin took a split decision in a 2009 rematch.

Veteran Cung Le (10-2) won for the first time in the UFC by taking a unanimous decision in a slugfest against Quebec City's Patrick Cote (17-8). The 40-year old former kickboxing champion from San Jose used his arsenal of kicks to by and large keep Cote, a classic power puncher, off balance and out of range. All three judges gave Le the bout on 30-27 scores.

Yohan Blake beats Usain Bolt in 100m - Video

The Fastest Man in the World wasn't the fastest man in Jamaica.
That honour goes to Yohan Blake, who got out of the blocks fast and finished the 100-meter final in 9.75 seconds to upset world-record holder Usain Bolt by 0.11 seconds in the Jamaican Olympic trials.
A shocker? Well, that's for the world to decide. One thing for sure, however, is that the calculus for the London Olympics has changed dramatically.
Blake is the reigning world champion but that victory, last year in South Korea, came with an asterisk because Bolt didn't run that night after being disqualified for a false start. This was their first rematch, their first real race since then. Bolt was considered the favourite, not only because of his world record - 9.58 seconds - but because Blake, his training partner had never run below 9.84 in his life.

Well, now, he has.
The 9.75 seconds goes down as the best time this year and also breaks the four-year-old National Stadium record; both marks were 9.76 - both held by Bolt.
As much as the numbers, though, it was all that daylight between Blake and Bolt at the finish line that told this story. Blake, the man known as "The Beast," let out a primal scream when he crossed. Bolt just sort of pulled up - no "To the World" pose or anything else to celebrate.
Asafa Powell will join them at the Olympics, after finishing in 9.88. In the women's 100, defending Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won in a Jamaican record 10.70 seconds, with Veronica Campbell-Brown in second and Kerron Stewart in third.

Ryan Lochte Beats Michael Phelps At U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials

Ryan Lochte won his latest showdown with the winningest Olympian ever, beating Phelps for the first time in the 400-meter individual medley at the U.S. swimming trials Monday night.

In taking the first spot on the Olympic team, Lochte extended his dominance of Phelps that goes back to last year's world championships, where the 27-year-old Floridian won five gold medals and both head-to-head races against Phelps.

"The first race is always the hardest," Lochte said. "I can take a deep breath now, relax and whatever happens, happens."

Phelps started strong on the butterfly leg, his best stroke, but Lochte took command when they switched to the breaststroke. He built a lead of about a half-body length and held off Phelps in the freestyle finish, cruising to the wall with one arm extended to post a time of 4 minutes, 7.06 seconds.

He got a kiss from his dad, Steve, as he came off the deck and a huge cheer from the crowd of more than 11,000 – including a group behind the starting block that waved "Ryan" signs and giant cardboard cutouts of his face.

Phelps claimed the second Olympic spot in 4:07.89, setting himself up for another eight-event program in London – something he insisted he wouldn't do again after the Beijing Games.

Youkilis Curtain Call Last At Bat (Video)

The Chicago White Sox acquired Youkilis on Sunday in a trade with Boston in exchange for another utilityman Brent Lillibridge and right-hander Zach Stewart. But the three-time All-Star didn't pack his bags before getting an emotional farewell from Red Sox fans who cheered him for eight seasons.

After being held out of the lineup for the previous four games by manager Bobby Valentine, Youkilis started against the visiting Atlanta Braves on Sunday. The 33-year-old got a standing ovation before his first at-bat, in which he reached on an infield single to the pitcher. In his last at-bat in a Red Sox uniform, Youkilis legged out a triple. He was then taken out of the game for Nick Punto and was given an even bigger standing ovation.

(Video) Joel Peralta ejected for having pine tar on his glove

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Joel Peralta was ejected from Tuesday night's game against the Washington Nationals before he even threw a pitch, as umpires found a significant amount of pine tar on his glove.



On a tip from Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson, umpires investigated Peralta's glove when he came into the game in the top of the eighth inning. They obviously didn't like what they found, as one of the umpires walked off with Peralta's glove and Jake McGee came into the game to replace Peralta.

Webb Simpson Wins U.S. Open 2012 At Olympic Club

Webb Simpson won the U.S. Open and put two more names into the graveyard of champions.

Overlooked for so much of the week, Simpson emerged on a fog-filled Sunday at The Olympic Club with four birdies around the turn and a tough chip out of a hole to the right of the 18th green that he converted into par for a 2-under 68.

He finished at 1-over 281, and it was enough to outlast former U.S. Open champions Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell.

Furyk bogeyed two of his last three holes. McDowell had a 25-foot birdie on the 18th to force a playoff, but it never had a chance.

"Oh, wow," Simpson said, watching from the locker room.

Olympic is known as the "graveyard of champions" because proven major winners who were poised to win the U.S. Open have always lost to the underdog. One of those was Arnold Palmer in 1966, when he lost a seven-shot lead on the back nine.

Perhaps it was only fitting that the 25-year-old Simpson went to Wake Forest on an Arnold Palmer scholarship.

"Arnold has been so good to me," Simpson said. "Just the other day, I read that story and thought about it. He's meant so much to me and Wake Forest. Hopefully, I can get a little back for him and make him smile."

No one was beaming like Simpson, who followed a breakthrough year on the PGA Tour with his first major.

LeBron James Scores 32 As Miami Wins NBA Finals Game 2

Kevin Durant misses a game tying shot vs the Miami Heat in game 2 in the 2012 nba finals
Kevin Durant missed clutch game tying shot
Kevin Durant misses shot nba finals 2012

Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder LIVE SCORE Updates

he Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder arrived at Game 1 of the 2012 NBA Finals by different roads. But each team's trip was fueled by the talents of a core of superstars. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were united in South Beach by way of free-agent dealings and public courtships while the Thunder core of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden's beard was constructed behind closed doors and on NBA Draft nights.

Despite origin stories as different as Superman and Spiderman, these two teams are set to open a superstar showdown in Game 1 in Oklahoma City.

Watch video : Rafael Nadal Wins French Open, Defeating Novak Djokovic

   

The match ended on Djokovic's double-fault, a fittingly awkward conclusion to a final that had plenty of stops and starts, including a brief delay during the fourth set Monday while – what else? – a rain shower passed over the stadium.

It was a 3 hour, 50 minute match spread over two days filled with momentum swings, outbursts, testy exchanges with the officials and then, finally, a familiar closing act: Nadal, the second-seeded Spaniard, down on his knees, celebrating a title at a place that feels like home.

"I suffered," Nadal said, "but I enjoyed."

Wrapping up the match a few minutes after the brief rain shower ended, Nadal broke the record he shared with Bjorn Borg, improved to 52-1 at the French Open and beat the man who had defeated him in the last three Grand Slam finals.

"I don't know if I am the best or not," Nadal said. " I am not the right one to say that. The only thing is, I have probably one of the best results ever, probably in this kind of surface, and for me (that) is great."

After serving his fourth double-fault of the match, the top-seeded Djokovic dropped his head, slumped his shoulders and walked slowly toward the net – a two-day adventure complete, and not with the result he wanted.

Union Rags Wins Belmont Stakes 2012 (VIDEO)

Saturday's Belmont Stakes, it was another photo finish decided by a neck. Just like the Preakness.

The 3-year-old bay colt barreled through a slim opening on the rail to edge Paynter, dealing Baffert, jockey Mike Smith and owner Ahmed Zayat a third loss in this year's Triple Crown series.

"We needed every bit of the mile and a half," winning trainer Michael Matz said.

I'll Have Another won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness with stirring stretch drives over Baffert's Bodemeister. But the champion stunned the racing world Friday when he was scratched from the Belmont and retired due to a tendon injury, relinquishing a shot at the first Triple Crown sweep since 1978 and only the 12th ever.

His absence opened up the race for Union Rags, who finished a troubled seventh in the Derby after a bumpy start.

Union Rags skipped the Preakness and because of the Derby problems switched jockeys for the Belmont – from Julien Leparoux to John Velazquez, who picked up his second Belmont victory; he won in 2007 with filly Rags to Riches.

"I have to give it to the horse. He did it all for me. He just worked so unbelievable and I was just hoping he could put that work into today's race and he did," said Velazquez, who will enter racing's Hall of Fame in August. "I was very proud of him.'"

A crowd of 85,811, cheered as Paynter and Union Rags furiously battled down the stretch, with Union Rags barely catching the front-runner in the second straight photo finish to decide a Triple Crown race this year.

LeBron James gets a drink dumped on him after Game 6 in Boston

LeBron James puts on a show and impressive performance as he put up 45 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists to save the Miami Heat from elimination against the Boston Celtics as they tie the series 3-3 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

This was LeBron James best performance since his Cleveland days back in 2007 when he posted 51 points on the Detroit Pistons to help lead the Cavs to the Finals that year only to lose to the San Antonio Spurs final successful championship run in the Tim Duncan era.

Phillies Closer Angry With Umpire After Loss To Dodgers (VIDEO)

Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon's thoughts on the home plate umpire after the Phillies' 4-3 loss to the Dodgers Monday night.

Elian Herrera hit a tiebreaking RBI single off Papelbon in the ninth inning to lift the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 on Monday night.

Dee Gordon ripped a triple to right-center to start the ninth against Papelbon (0-2). Herrera followed with a grounder through the shortstop hole to put major league-leading Los Angeles ahead to stay.

Papelbon wasn't pleased with plate umpire D.J. Reyburn, who had a tough night. Reyburn tossed Dodgers bench coach Trey Hillman and manager Don Mattingly earlier in the game. Papelbon thought he struck out Gordon the pitch before allowing the triple. After the inning, he walked over to talk to Reyburn, who walked away without giving him a chance to say a word.

Good decision by Reyburn.

"I just wanted to ask him if he could throw me out for what I was thinking," Papelbon said. "He was terrible all night. He probably needs to go back to Triple-A. If you don't do your job, you get demoted or fired. It affected the outcome of the game."

Papelbon is 15 for 15 in save opportunities, but hasn't fared as well in non-save situations.

Placido Polanco hit a tying, two-run homer to help the Phillies rally from a 3-0 deficit against Clayton Kershaw, but it wasn't enough.

Kershaw, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, gave up three runs and eight hits in seven innings to remain winless in his last three starts.

Tiger Woods Chip Shot On 16th Hole At Memorial Propels Him To Win (VIDEO)

Tiger Woods was at his best Sunday at the Memorial. He hit nearly every shot just the way he wanted, worked the gallery into a frenzy with one last charge over the final hour and left everyone buzzing – especially Jack Nicklaus – with a shot they will talk about for years.

Better yet was the timing of his 73rd win.

Woods tied Nicklaus for career PGA Tour victories at the tournament that Jack built. And the 14-time major champion suddenly looks equipped to resume his chase of another Nicklaus mark that is more significant – 18 major championships.

The U.S. Open starts in 11 days.

With a chip-in that even Woods called one of the toughest shots he ever made, he birdied three of his last four holes to close with a 5-under 67 and turn a two-shot deficit into a two-shot victory over Rory Sabbatini and fast-closing Andres Romero.

Coming off a two-putt birdie on the 15th, Woods hit 8-iron over the green at the par-3 16th and into an impossible lie. It was buried in deep rough, the pin 50 feet away along a ridge. Woods hit a full flop shot, hopeful to give himself a reasonable putt for par. Far more likely was the ball going short and down a slope away from the pin, or coming out too strong and rolling into the water.

No one was thinking birdie, not even Woods, until he took two steps and delivered an uppercut when the ball fell in the right side of the cup.

Nicklaus was gushing from the broadcast booth. "The most unbelievable, gutsy shot I've ever seen," he said.

"Under the circumstances – the circumstances being Tiger has been struggling – it was either fish or cut bait," Nicklaus said later. "He had one place to land the ball. He's playing a shot that if he leaves it short, he's going to leave himself again a very difficult shot. If he hits it long, he's going to probably lose the tournament. He lands the ball exactly where it has to land. Going in the hole was a bonus. But what a shot!

Rays 2B Passes Out After Hit By Pitch, Carted Off Field (VIDEO)

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The Rays-Red Sox game on Wednesday night took a scary turn in the eighth inning when Tampa Bay's Will Rhymes collapsed on the field shortly after getting hit in the arm by a pitch from Boston's Franklin Morales.

Morales' fastball nailed Rhymes in the right arm, causing the second baseman to immediately lose his footing and fall down in pain. Manager Joe Maddon and a trainer ran onto the field to attend to him and Rhymes eventually walked to first.

Once Rhymes got to first, he gestured to the coaching staff that he wanted to come out. Then he took a few steps and collapsed, falling into the arms of first base coach George Hendrick.

The 29-year-old remained down for several minutes before finally moving on his own. He sat up slowly as the medical staff attended to him and was eventually carted off the field.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweeted that Rhymes was okay and when he was asked a simple question like who he was, he responded saying, "Batman."

"I felt fine. I was all there but when I got to first, I started getting real dizzy and nauseous," Rhymes said in the locker room after the game. "That's when I started walking off and, apparently I didn't get real far."

Brett Lawrie Ejected hits ump with helmet [Video]

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie went nuts after a called third strike tonight. The pitch was pretty far off the plate, and Lawrie was completely in the right for being pissed off about the call. But then, he spiked his helmet...and the helmet hit home plate umpire Bill Miller. Not good. Lawrie will likely face a suspension for that one.

The situation that the call was made in was absolutely terrible for Lawrie and the Blue Jays, in the bottom of the ninth inning with one out in a one run game. If Lawrie got on base, the Blue Jays would have had at least a hope at a rally.

Things eventually got worse (somehow) in Toronto, as a fan threw a beer at Miller as the umpires were exciting the field after the game.

Really? I mean, really Toronto? What a disastrous situation all-around. And of course, after the game, Miller and the umpires refused comment multiple times. What a mess.

Video : Bryce Harper hits his own face with a bat

Washington rookie Bryce Harper will miss a couple of days after he took an angry swing and his own bat accidentally hit him near the eye.

Harper later batted with blood trickling down his face during Friday night's 7-3 win at Cincinnati.

The 19-year-old Harper went 0 for 5 and struck out three times. At one point, he took a frustrated whack at a wall in the tunnel leading to the clubhouse.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said the barrel of the bat bounced off the wall and hit Harper next to the left eye, causing a gash and welt. He got bandaged, but was sent for treatment afterward because it was bleeding.

Johnson says Harper probably needs to be stitched up and will out for a couple of days.

Harper says he feels OK and doesn't expect to miss any time, but he might anyway. Yoda Nats manager Davey Johnson said he'll have word with the young man about the whole episode.

It's an easy way to get rid of your frustration," Johnson said. "I'll speak to him about it, because evidently he went a little overboard. That's not what you want to do. The equipment is supposed to take the brunt of it. We'll address that."

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Manchester City vs Newcastle (2-0) Match full Highlights HD Video

Manchester City is within sight of its first English championship since 1968 after Yaya Toure scored twice to give the Premier League leader a 2-0 win at Newcastle on Sunday.

Although defending champion Manchester United stayed level on points with its local rival with a 2-0 victory over Swansea, City’s superior goal difference means that it will almost certainly win the title if it beats struggling Queens Park Rangers in its final match next weekend.

United, which won through goals by Paul Scholes and Ashley Young, is at Sunderland in the final round next Sunday.

“It’s not finished,” Toure said. “We have one game left and we have to be careful as QPR are fighting to stay in the Premier League. We have to continue to work hard and believe.

Tottenham kept fourth place from Newcastle with a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, while Clint Dempsey scored his 50th Premier League goal to help Fulham to a 2-1 win over Sunderland.

Djibril Cisse scored in the 89th to give QPR a 1-0 win over Stoke and move his side two points clear of the relegation zone, while Bolton missed the chance to climb out of the bottom three when it let slip a 2-0 lead and drew 2-2 with West Bromwich Albion.

Relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers drew 0-0 with Everton in the other match.

With both City and Newcastle needing victory – one for the title chase and one for its top-four challenge – there were chances at each end before Toure’s goals.

City goalkeeper Joe Hart made a reflex save from Hatem Ben Arfa’s fierce volley in the 34th after Demba Ba’s shot had been blocked. Seven minutes later, Gareth Barry’s low drive was blocked by defender Fabricio Coloccini and his rebound effort was stopped on the line by Davide Santon.

Barry then tried a third shot but Newcastle and goalkeeper Tim Krul managed to clear.

Toure made the breakthrough in the 70th, exchanging passes with Sergio Aguero on the edge of the area and placing a curling right-foot shot past the diving Krul.

The Ivory Coast midfielder then missed a clear opening – slipping as he tried to take the ball around Krul — before making it 2-0 as City exploited space left by the home side’s search for an equalizer.

Scholes put United ahead in the 28th when the veteran midfielder, who rescinded his retirement midway through the season, redirected Michael Carrick’s shot with a quick flick of the boot.

Young made it 2-0 13 minutes later with a low, curling shot between two defenders and around the goalkeeper into the far corner.

But the avalanche of goals United needed to eat away at City’s advantage never came.

City will go into the final round eight goals ahead of United.

Tottenham was unable to take advantage of third-place Arsenal’s 3-3 draw against Norwich on Saturday. Ciaran Clark put struggling Villa ahead in the 35th and Spurs had fullback Danny Rose sent off shortly after halftime for a foul on Alan Hutton.

Spurs only equalized in the 62nd after Villa defender Richard Dunne brought down Sandro in the area, allowing Emmanuel Adebayor to dispatch the resulting penalty for his 16th league goal of the season.

Tottenham has 66 points to Arsenal’s 67 and Newcastle’s 65.

American forward Dempsey scored his 17th Premier League goal this season with a 12th-minute free kick at Craven Cottage. Defender Philip Bardsley leveled for Sunderland in the 34th with a shot from the edge of the area but Mousa Dembele restored Fulham’s lead just a minute later with a deflected drive which found the top corner.

Fulham’s fifth win in seven games give the west London side with a chance of matching its best ever position of seventh if it wins at Tottenham next weekend. Currently eighth, Fulham is a point behind Everton.

With Wolves already relegated, Blackburn and Bolton are the other sides in the three-team relegation zone. Blackburn plays Monday against Wigan, which is level on points and goal difference with QPR.

Delio Rossi Fired: Fiorentina Axes Coach After Attacking Adem Ljajic (VIDEO)

Fiorentina has made the decision to sack head coach Delio Rossi after he attacked midfielder Adem Ljajic during Wednesday's Serie A clash against Novara at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

The 51-year-old trainer replaced the Serbian youngster after only 32 minutes of play when Fiorentina was 2-0 down, and Ljajic was not impressed with Rossi's decision.

The Serbia international sarcastically applauded his coach while making his way to the bench, thus infuriating the Fiorentina boss. Rossi pushed the 20-year-old against the back of the dug-out before aiming a punch at Ljajic.

The pair was then split up by other staff members and substitutes before things got out of hand any more than they already had, but Fiorentina has nonetheless decided to let go of Rossi.

"I have decided to fire the coach for what we see as a serious incident. I am sorry for Delio Rossi, because he's a good person. This is a serious matter, though. We will further talk about this tomorrow," club president Andrea Della Valle said of the decision to let the manager go.

Fiorentina eventually managed to salvage a 2-2 draw in the remaining 60 minutes of the game courtesy of two goals from Riccardo Montolivo.

Manny Pacquiao v Juan Manuel Marquez full Fight video Highlights

Marquez and thousands of his supporters who packed the MGM Grand arena.

Manny seemingly getting the better of it, but neither man is throwing much. Hard shot lands for Manny. Good left to the dome from Pacquiao. Left to the body from Márquez. Good digging combo from Márquez. Huge left misses from Manny. Good lead left from Pacquiao. Counter left from Manny lands, then a big left straight. Body blows from Márquez, but Manny clearly landed the better shots. 10-9 Manny.

Round two: Manny flicking the jab out, no contact. One-two deflected by Pacquiao. Another left-right from Márquez blocked. Right hook lands for Manny. Good counter flurry from Márquez. Good left to the body from Pacquiao. Good body shot from Márquez. Right hand counter lands for Márquez, but not hard. Left from Manny and another. Good one-two from Márquez and I think I’m going to give him this round. 19-19.

Round three: Double jab from Manny. Right hand lead lands. Left for Manny hits, then a good jab. Márquez misses to the body. Manny pushing JMM back. Good little left to the body from JMM. Good right from Manny as JMM moves in. Good right hook from Pacquiao. 1-1-2 from Manny. Good right hook gets JMM’s attention and Manny lands a one-two at the bell. 29-28 for the Fighting Congressman.

Round four: Hard left straight for Manny and another. Overhand right whiffs from JMM. Much more tentative fight than their previous two. Manny avoiding most of JMM’s blows. Hard right hand from Manny lands near the ropes. Good left from Manny against the ropes, then a couple of solid body blows from JMM. Solid left from Manny. Hard right from JMM lands near the bell, but still Manny’s round. 39-37 Pacquiao.

Round five: Still no huge shots landed; I’m surprised. Good little combo to the body from JMM, but no damage. Pacquiao pushing JMM back, but not throwing. JMM tries to go to the body and throws an uppercut, but nothing doing. Good rights from Manny. One-two for JMM. Good counter right off a jab for JMM. Solid jab from the Mexican. JMM stings Manny bad with a right hand. The two men exchanging, but JMM is getting the better of it. 10-9 round for the challenger, 48-47 Pacquiao.

Round six: JMM loves the middle rounds, and no knockdowns are holding him back this time.

Both men tentative. Hard lefts for Manny. JMM digs to the body. Hard body blows from JMM. Good rights from both men. Hard left from Manny, then a right. Double rights from JMM doing well. Hooks from both men land. Right hook from Manny lands. Jab from Manny. Digging shots to the body for JMM; better round for Pacquiao, but still damn close. 58-56 Pacquiao.

Round seven: “Dinamita” may be losing on my card, but he’s still impressing the hell out of me.

Big right hand from JMM. Flurry from Pacquiao comes up short. Good lead left from Manny, then a solid left to the body from JMM. Manny pushing forward effectively. Body blow from JMM, then a solid left from Pac-Man. Good right from Manny catches JMM. Hard right uppercut from JMM lands. Hell of a round, really close, but still Manny’s. 68-65 Pacquiao.

Round eight: Good right from JMM. Counter left uppercut whiffs from JMM. Left to the body from Manny. Right straight stings Manny. Good right to the body for the Mexican great. Left lands for Manny. Manny lands a solid flurry inside. Right hook narrowly misses. Hard left straight lands for Pacquiao. Very good round for JMM. 77-75 Pacquiao.

Round nine: Hard left hook from JMM hits Manny on the back of the head, but no damage done. JMM lands a good combination. Good right hands from both. Hard flurry inside. Big left hook misses from Pacquiao. Both men exchanging at furious speed, both landing well. Left hook to the body and uppercut upstairs land for JMM. Both men going absolutely berserk at the end of the round; holy crap, what a fight. 86-85 Pacquiao, but the scores could be anything at the moment.

Round ten: Manny is going after the knockout now; Roach says he needs it and he may well be right. Hard right hand lands for JMM and Manny misses with an answering left. Pacquiao getting tagged on the inside by “Dinamita’s” right hand. Pacquiao is officially cut; this isn’t good. Manny says it was a headbutt, but I didn’t see. Right hand lands for JMM, then an inside left for Manny. Pacquiao with a good right hook upstairs. Another brutal exchange at the end and I’m giving this one to JMM. Ugly cut over Pacquiao’s eye; good thing there are only two rounds left. All tied up at 95.

Round eleven: Manny whiffs a heavy one-two. Lead left lands for Pacquiao, who avoids a JMM flurry in response. Manny tags his foe with a right-left. Lead right for JMM. Solid right hook from Pacquiao, JMM responds in turn. JMM is in cruise control; that is a bad, bad, bad idea. Manny pushing him back, outlanding him during this round. Good right for JMM, but his inactivity for the majority makes me score it for Manny. 105-104 Pacquiao; Ignacio Beristain needs to stop telling JMM he’s winning.

Round twelve: Left hand from Manny lands well. Manny moving forward, JMM retreating. Terrible plan. Good lead left from Manny. Another missile left misses. Manny narrowly avoids a flurry from JMM. Manny’s mouthpiece pops out and they briefly stop to reinsert it. Manny explodes at the end of the round and took it in my book; Ignacio Beristain may have hamstringed his own fighter with bad advice near the end. 115-113 Manny, but they’re going to be arguing this one for months. No matter what it is.

Final result: 114-114, 115-113, 116-112 for the winner by majority decision, Manny Pacquiao.