BOXING fans in Singapore were left slightly deflated by the unanimous points victory American Floyd Mayweather etched out over Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao in their so-called "Fight of the Century" in Las Vegas on Saturday night (Sunday morning, Singapore time).

The Filipino southpaw was clearly a crowd favourite here, given the cheers that greeted his name in the crowd when the announcer read the introductions in the ring on TV while Mayweather's name was greeted with jeers and boos - just like it was at the MGM Grand Arena ahead of the welterweight encounter.

Filipino Paul Untal, 34, a manager who caught the action on a TV screen at Boat Quay: told The Straits Times after the 12-round bout: "I feel bad, Manny's a hell of a fighter, and he deserved to win. But it was a good fight."

Dr Karl Brandmeir, who is in his 60s and an assistant professor at UNLV Singapore: "Pacman should have won, he was the aggressor and usually scores more points.

"But Mayweather showed why he is undefeated, if you want to win, you have to knock him down. Good fight!"

Muhammad Ridhwan, 28, who will represent Singapore at next month's SEA Games and was one of several hundred fans at Outback Steakhouse at Millenia Walk, noted: "Mayweather fought smart and did what is necessary to win. What he did is not easy and his skills are not appreciated by casual boxing fans.

"Mayweather made Manny fight at a slower pace and his counters made Pacquiao cautious."