in transition

With each round, Margarito’s face worsened, as if Pacquiao was painting a brutal boxing masterpiece. It went like this: seventh round, left eye closed; eighth round, bleeding from nose; ninth round, left cheek bruised; 10th round, fight nearly stopped. In the 11th round, Pacquiao glanced at the referee, almost pleading for a stoppage. In the 12th round, he took mercy, punching rarely, allowing Margarito to finish on his feet.