“This is a death knell for boxing, and I’m going to make a ton of money on the rematch.” Bob Arum
LAS VEGAS, NV — The decision was supposed to be a foregone conclusion as the scores were tallied following what most viewed as a dominant title defense for Manny Pacquiao over Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand
Instead, a surprise controversial verdict may have permanently altered all hopes for the biggest proposed superfight in boxing history between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Timothy Bradley became the new WBO welterweight champion tonight by scores of 115-113, 113-115 and 115-113 to become the first man to “defeat” Pacquiao in seven years.
Bradley looked strong in the opening two minutes of the first round. He worked left hooks downstairs and kept Pacquaio honest with straight rights. But within the last 30 seconds, Pacquiao would land three straight lefts that got the challenger’s attention and ignited the crowd.
That punch would be a recurring theme throughout the night.
Pacquiao’s left would give him decisive edges in rounds two and three. In the latter stanza, Bradley tried to force exchanges which still favored Pacquiao’s speed and power. Bradley was wobbled and stunned in the fourth, but continued forcing wild exchanges to his detriment.
The fifth marked a turning point as Bradley began to fight off the backfoot and counter. Although Pacquiao taunted him with chest-pounding, Bradley maintained his composure and had a decent sixth where he finally avoided the straight left. The seventh featured both fighters going for broke in the last minute; Bradley found pay-dirt with his right hooks and Pacquiao returned the punishment in kind with straight lefts.
After a subdued eighth that saw Pacquiao at times smirking at Bradley’s punches, the champion got active again in the ninth. Pacquiao strafed Bradley with all facets of his left hand: uppercuts, crosses and hooks. Bradley showed a strong chin and had sporadic moments of his own with right hooks downstairs.
The championship rounds found Bradley doing better with his activity while Pacquiao landing the more effective blows. Pacquiao simply followed Bradley around in the 10th and picked up his pace in the 11th by re-establishing the left hand. The closing 12th was a clear Bradley round and one of the few most expected he’d receive on the scorecards.
The decision was met with loud and prolonged boos that drowned out much of Bradley’s post-fight interview. Bradley’s shocking win completely derails any chance for a Pacquiao-Mayweather matchup in the fall, as Top Rank CEO Bob Arum will likely pursue a Pacquiao-Bradley rematch in November.
“I thought I won the fight,” said Bradley. “I didn’t think he was as good as everybody says he is. I didn’t feel a lot of his power.”
“I do my best and I guess my best wasn’t good enough,” Pacquiao stated. “I’ve been watching the tapes of his fights. Tonight, he never hurt me. Most of his punches hit my arms. I don’t know what happened. I have no problem. I’ll be ready for the rematch.”
The victory gives Timothy Bradley his first title at welterweight.
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Anything to avoid a Mayweather match, huh Bob Arum? At this point, all conspiracy are welcome to try to explain this one. I gave Bradley about three rounds. How anyone can score this fight for him is baffling. When arguably the most popular fighter in the world can get screwed, you know all bets are off.
There’s no winners in this except Bob Arum, who’s smug statement in the face of this fiasco is pathetic but expected. Fans need to vote with their wallets and boycott the rematch. The fallout of this night will be felt for some time.
One thing’s for sure is that Las Vegas lived up to its Sin City nickname tonight.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 
Wow, wow, wow, its all I can say, unreal… Couldnt believe what I watched, both fighters seemed shocked after the fight, even Bradleys team thought He had lost… Pacquiao defo banked atleast 8rounds in My opinion, I gave Bradley 4 rounds at most….
In the first half of the fight Bradley was gone, I was just waiting for Pacquiao to give him A hard stoppage, He looked shell shocked and completely dejected… But credit goes to Tim for sticking around, and He did get himself back into the fight somewhat no doubt, seemed He got A second and managed to get his jab going, He decided to stay to Manny, stopped moving back after throwing punches, and did win some rounds late on, I was just so frustrated watching Pacquiao in the last 3 or 4 rounds, He let Bradley get back in the fight, it seemed like A sparing session come the end, not enough effort, He didnt step on the gas, it shouldnt of gone to the judges…
Its just A shame, the Floyd fight seems miles away now, not only because of the rematch etc, but now the general public and fight fans probably are not as bothered about the mystique of the fight (after the Marquez fight I lost abit of intrest in it) Pacquiao defo wont get as much as Mayweather now if the fight ever did take place…
Wonder what Floyd is thinking, prolly shadow boxing in his 8×10 laughing his ass off, He could probably hear the boo’s from his cell lol
Gonna watch the undercard 2nite…
And Im with you on the Bob Arum comment
This is the worst decision ever in sports.
There was definitely dodgy here, and I smell the stink coming from Bob Arum. I used to get annoyed at mayweather when he said Bob arum is the reason the fight won’t happen as long as pacquiao is with him, now I believe him!
I gave Bradley atleast 5 rounds pushing it.. and thats pushing it (he most likely just won 3). I’m so dissapointed not just the decision but the sport as a whole. Boxing is trully dead in my eyes, there was too many bad calls before but this one was just too much and a much larger scale.
mayweather won, bob arum won, bradley won… pacquiao robbed and marquez probably feels even worse.
Boxing is DEAD