Bradley ends Manny Pacquiao's 15-bout win streak

Timothy Bradley of the U.S. (right) defends against Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines during their WBO welterweight title match at the MGM Grand Arena on June 9, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unbeaten Bradley ended Pacquiao's long unbeaten run with a controversial split decision victory over the Filipino ring icon. / JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images

(AP) LAS VEGAS - Timothy Bradley promised to shock, though the biggest shock in his fight with Manny Pacquiao came from the judges' scorecards.

In a fight Pacquiao seemed to have in hand, two judges decided otherwise, giving Bradley a split decision Saturday night and ending the Filipino fighter's remarkable seven-year unbeaten run.

Promoter Bob Arum fumed, the crowd at the MGM Grand arena booed, and Pacquiao seemed stunned when the decision was announced. Arum said there would be a November rematch, though he blasted the way the decision went down.

"I've never been as ashamed of the sport of boxing as I am tonight," said Arum, who handles both fighters.

Bradley came on strong in the later rounds, winning five of the last six rounds on two scorecards and four on the third. He won 115-113 on two scorecards, while losing on the third by the same margin. The Associated Press had Pacquiao winning 117-111.

"I did my best," Pacquiao said. "I guess my best wasn't good enough."

Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines defends against Timothy Bradley of the U.S. during their WBO welterweight title match at the MGM Grand Arena on June 9, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In what is being viewed as a highly controversial outcome, unbeaten Bradley ended Pacquiao's long unbeaten run with a split decision victory over the Filipino ring icon.

/ JOHN GURZINSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Pacquiao tried to turn the fight into a brawl, using his power to hurt Bradley in the early rounds. But Bradley changed tactics in the middle rounds and used his boxing skills to win enough rounds to take the narrow decision for the welterweight title.

It ended a 15-fight winning streak by Pacquiao dating to 2005 that turned him into a boxing superstar and made him a national hero in the Philippines.

"I thought I won the fight," Bradley said. "I didn't think he was as good as everyone says he was. I didn't feel his power."

Ringside punching statistics showed Pacquiao landing 253 punches to 159 for Bradley, who vowed before the fight to take the 147-pound title from Pacquiao. The Compubox statistics showed Pacquiao landing more punches in 10 of the 12 rounds.

Bradley was so confident that he had oversized tickets printed up for a Nov. 10 rematch that will now likely happen.

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[click267]

Hopefully the fix is overturned: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDZES3eHJ-Y

[RadioStationForThePeople]

The millions of people that bought this fight on Pay Per View need to file a class action lawsuit against Top Rank Boxing and Bob Arum! That fight was clearly rigged especially after seeing the giant poster promoting the Bradley & Pacquiao 2 fight set for November 10th, 2012! Clearly two weeks BEFORE the first fight even took place! This alone PROVES that Top Rank and Bob Arum had previous knowledge of the outcome of the first fight before punches were thrown! Please spread the word to other boxing fans that were robbed of their hard earned money! We must stand against injustices when have full knowledge of it! Thank you.

For those that want proof. Please go to this link and see for yourself. http://www.opposingviews.com/i/sports/boxingmma/photo-manny-pacquiao-vs-timothy-bradley-ii-poster-made-2-weeks-1st-fight

[bajajohn1]

P.T. Barnum once said, "a sucker is born every minute." Last night's fight gives great credence to that statement. Millions of people pay good money to see quality boxing. Many millions of people are deceived repeatedly by the crime-ridden sport. One guess, is the Casino called the shots on this fight possibly because they stood to lose millions on the gambling. If boxing is to survive, the federal government needs to launch an investigation into the apparent criminal fraud that was perpetrated on boxing fans. As for this now-once fan, "fool me once, shame on you--fool me twice, shame on you."

[RadioStationForThePeople]

You're absolutely correct!The millions of people that bought this fight on Pay Per View need to file a class action lawsuit against Top Rank Boxing and Bob Arum! That fight was clearly rigged especially after seeing the giant poster promoting the Bradley & Pacquiao 2 fight set for November 10th, 2012! Clearly two weeks BEFORE the first fight even took place! This alone PROVES that Top Rank and Bob Arum had previous knowledge of the outcome of the first fight before punches were thrown! Please spread the word to other boxing fans that were robbed of their hard earned money! We must stand against injustices when have full knowledge of it! Thank you.

For those that want proof. Please go to this link and see for yourself. http://www.opposingviews.com/i/sports/boxingmma/photo-manny-pacquiao-vs-timothy-bradley-ii-poster-made-2-weeks-1st-fight

[eddee4911]

Never use that JUDGE AGAIN in your fights. He was watching the card girls.

[ArchyeV]

http://******/KVk3uq . I go the cure for boxing in my hands. Check iJudge+ BoxingApp on iTunes and Amazon. THX

[Freedom7Capsule]

Manny Pacquiao is the head of a large financial empire, not to mention his Filipino government job. All of that simply demands too much time away from the ring. And then there's the issue of his age. He really needs to retire. His best days are behind him.

[mgunn89512]

Did you even watch the fight? What you say is irrelevant for scoring the fight. Pacquiao dominated, was the aggressor, hit more, and won at least 10 of 12 rounds. This wasn't even close. Compubox agrees. And the philosophy that the challenger must TAKE the belt is laughable here. It was given to him on a platter by incompetent judges.

[MdlOMG]

Last night's fight did not have anything to do with Manny's financial empire nor his government job. Nothing to do with his age either. In fact, we should admire him because inspite of many hats he wears, he performed at his best last night and he should have won. He is a good man and he deserves the rewards of his hard work. The judges should be questioned on how they arrived at their decision.

[JusticeWasServed]

There's a saying in spanish: Ladron que roba a ladron, tiene 100 anos de perdon. A thief who steals from a thief is given 100 years pardon.

This was divine justice for the Marquez controversy.

[kalv74]

Dont even compare Pacman/Marquez to Pacman/Bradley fight. The Marquez fight was close, while Bradley fight was not EVEN close! Boxing is dead..RIP

[waassup]

I quit following boxing a long time ago just because of crap like this.

[watercam]

It's funny on the highlights it was hard to, if not impossible to find any hard hitting shots from Bradley. That's because there were none. The fix was in and the gamblers won this fight. I wonder if after Bradley watches the tapes and sees that he lost if he will come forward and declare Manny the winner.

[jakehypnosi]

Bradley did not win the fight. Arum did. As soon as we as boxing fans stop glamorizing the sport and see it as a business, and stop seeing these men as fighters and start admitting they're commodities, then we'll stop pretending to be surprised. The only way you can legitimately win is to knock somebody the hell out.

[amurguz]

Amen, Jake, No truer words could be said.