Times wires
Saturday, May 7, 2011
LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao earned an unanimous decision over Sugar Shane Mosley on Saturday night, retaining his WBO welterweight title with his 14th consecutive victory.
Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 knockouts) didn't get the KO he sought, but the Filipino Congressman kept his spot as boxing's top pound-for-pound fighter, methodically beating Mosley (46-7-1, 39 KOs) at the MGM Grand Garden.
The eight-division champion knocked down Mosley with a right-left combination midway through the third round, just the third knockdown of Mosley's decorated 18-year career.
Mosley, 39, was credited with a knockdown in the 10th round when he appeared to push Pacquiao as the champion threw a wild punch.
Pacquiao, 32, finished with ferocity despite some boos, keeping Mosley winless in three fights.
Holyfield TKOs foe
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield stopped Denmark's Brian Nielsen by TKO in the 10th round.
"My goal still is to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world," said Holyfield, 48. "This fight showed other champions what I am able to do, but it also taught me I have to be better. The most important is that I didn't quit. I am not a quitter."
In the 10th, Holyfield pressed Nielsen, 46, in the corner. The bout was halted after he landed several jabs and Nielsen spat blood. Nielsen said afterward he was hit by Holyfield's head butts.
Pacquiao-Mosley undercard: After being knocked down in the fifth, Jorge Arce (57-6-2, 44 KOs) took the WBO 122-pound title from Wilfredo Vazquez (20-1-1, 17 KOs) with a 12th-round TKO in Las Vegas. … Kelly Pavlik beat Alfonso Lopez (21-1, 16 KOs) by majority decision in Las Vegas. Pavlik (37-2, 32 KOs) had not fought since April 17, 2010, when Sergio Martinez took his two middleweight titles.