Manny Pacquiao leaves no doubt, beats Timothy Bradley
LAS VEGAS -- When Manny Pacquiao finally arrived at his post-fight press conference at the MGM Grand about two hours after his redemption fight had ended Saturday night, he came with 32 stitches in his left eyebrow and the gait of a man who had met his match.
But the wide grin and look of utter relief said otherwise.
Nearly
two years removed from one of the most controversial decisions in
boxing history, Pacquiao had finally gotten his revenge and the WBO
welterweight belt he wanted so badly back from Timothy Bradley. And now
he could return to the Philippines in peace and await the birth of his
fifth child later this month.
This time, the Filipino politician left no doubt. And no controversy.
Even
Bradley had to agree that Pacquiao defeated him in their rematch
before 15,601 raucous pro-Pacquiao fans at the MGM's Grand Garden Arena.
And
unlike the first bout, there was no argument from the ringside judges.
They gave Pacquiao the unanimous decision -- by scores of 116-112 twice
and 118-110 -- after watching a skillful exhibition of speed, power and
footwork from the 35-year-old southpaw.
Nearly two years
ago, Bradley won by split decision, which sparked widespread criticism
of the judges and an investigation by the Nevada Attorney General's
office.
"I
tried, I really tried," Bradley said. "I really wanted that knockout.
Manny is a great fighter, one of the best in the world. I tried throwing
something over the top. I knew I had to do more in this fight than the
last fight."
While Bradley threw more punches than Pacquiao (627
to 563), he connected on only 22% of those, with Pacquiao deftly
blocking many, and Bradley going for the big shot, swinging wildly and
missing more often than not.
Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said
he thought Bradley was going for a one-punch knockout. "He was swinging
for the fences," Roach said.
Pacquiao
(56-5-2, 38 KOs) admitted he was going for the knockout throughout the
fight to prove he still had the killer instinct. "Yes I tried to finish
him several times," Pacquiao said. "Many times I hit him hard, but he
was still there, "We cannot underestimate Bradley. He's very tough."
Bradley
said he pulled a calf muscle in the first round and his trainer, Joel
Diaz, said, "Once that happened, I knew there was really nothing to work
with."
Bradley did not use it as an excuse and refused to talk
about it in the post-fight press conference. "I have no excuses," said
Bradley, who limped into the press conference. "Pacquiao was the better
man. The reason I love Pacquiao is that he doesn't duck anyone."
Pacquiao said he suffered from leg cramps, which bothered him in the second half of the fight.
Pacquiao,
who was guaranteed $20 million, was careful not to get caught by a
punch as he did in 2012 against Juan Manuel Marquez that knocked him out
cold with one second left in the sixth round. "I didn't want to get
careless," he said.
But he did suffer a nasty, jagged cut over his
left eye from an accidental head butt in the 11th round that took 32
stitches after the fight.
Pacquiao said he could probably fight
for another two years and wouldn't mind a fifth fight with Marquez next.
"But it's up to my promoter Bob Arum."
That fight could
very well happen. Pacquiao is the mandatory for the winner of the May 17
Marquez-Mike Alvarado fight at the L.A. Forum.
The
heavily pro-Pacquiao crowd was a pleasant surprise for the new champion.
"I was surprised. I felt like I was in the Philippines," he said. "Even
the Mexicans and the Americans were cheering for me."
Bradley
(31-1, 12 KOs), who earned $6 million, suffered the first loss of his
career. "Life goes on and I'll just get back to the gym," the
30-year-old Californian said. "I will be a world champion again."
Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley II
Manny Pacquiao in the ring after his WBO
World Welterweight Championship fight against Timothy Bradley Jr. (not
pictured) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Manny Pacquiao won by
decision.
Manny Pacquiao celebrates his victory
over Timothy Bradley after their WBO World Welterweight Title bout at
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Timothy Bradley Jr. (green gloves) and
Manny Pacquiao (red gloves) during their WBO World Welterweight
Championship fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Timothy Bradley Jr.(brown gloves) and
Manny Pacquiao (red gloves) during their WBO World Welterweight
Championship fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Timothy Bradley (green gloves) and Manny
Pacquiao (red gloves) box during their WBO World Welterweight Title
bout at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
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