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| Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr. during their WBO World Welterweight Championship fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena. |
Sunday, April 13, 2014 2:13PM
Manny Pacquiao scored a unanimous decision to defeat WBO Welterweight Champion Timothy Bradley Saturday night. The judges had it 116-112, 116-112 and 118-110. Pacquiao regains his welterweight title and avenges his controversial loss two years ago to Bradley.
This time there is no doubt. Pacquiao got a clean sweep by the judges, and Bradley suffered his first loss. He's now 31-1, with 12 KOs. Pacquiao is 56-5 with 38 KOs.
Afterwards in the ring Bradley told Pacquiao: "Congratulations. You deserved it."
Bradley also said he pulled his right calf in the first round but added, "I have no excuses."
Here's how the fight unfolded at the MGM Grand Garden Arena:
ROUND ONE
The fight finally began at 12:24 a.m., ET. The fighters come out jabbing, but Pacquiao throws the first right hand. Both fighters are lunging. Crowd chants "Man-ny!" A miss by Bradley, and Pacquiao counters with a right hand. A cautious first round. Pacquiao avoids three shots by Bradley. Give the first round to Pacquiao as he had the most connects.
ROUND TWO
Pacquiao blocking most of Bradley's punches. Bradley loses his footing twice, then ties Pacquiao up. Both fighters lighting quick, but Pacquiao lands several combinations as the crowd goes crazy. It's really heating up here as Pacquiao lands several combos. Bradley takes a wild swing and again loses his balance in the last few seconds. A good round for Pacquiao. I have him up 2-0.
ROUND THREE
They're fighting in the middle of the ring. Pacquiao throwing left hands nearly every time he punches. And they're connecting. Bradley lands a right, then counters with a left. Another left hand by Pacquiao lands flush. Total action here. A Bradley uppercut. Pacquiao just loading up and the crowd loving it. Another big round for Pacquiao. He's up on my scorecard 3-0.
ROUND FOUR
Wild swing by Bradley misses. Pacquiao seems too quick for Bradley. Counter right by Pacquiao then a hard left staggers Bradley, who's leaving himself open. Bradley lunging and missing most of his shots. So far it's a shutout for Pacquiao 4-0. He seems to have Bradley's number. Bradley getting frustrated.
ROUND FIVE
Again Bradley lunging and Pacquiao counters with a left. Both fighters more cautious. Bradley copnnects on two hard rights as Pacquiao seems to be taking the round off. Pacquiao hits Bradley at the bell and Bradley shakes his head, 'No.' Give the round to Bradley, who connected on the harder shots and was busier. 4-1 Pacquiao.
ROUND SIX
Bradley throws; Pacquiao blocks. Pacquiao feinting and moving around the ring. Bradley slips a combination. Bradley doing most of the punching, but most are blocked. Pacquiao gets Bradley in the corner and drops a flurry of punches on him, as Bradley walks back to his corner again shaking his head, 'No' and looking at the HBO crew. Close round, but Bradley was busier. Give him another round. 4-2 Pacquiao.
ROUND SEVEN
Bradley goes to the body and connects twice. The action gets furious again. Bradley lands a right to Pacquiao's body that hurts him. Pacquiao gets Bradley on the ropes and unloads a 10-punch combination. He does it again. Bradley chases him down as the round ends. Pacquiao takes it and is up 5-2.
ROUND EIGHT
Did Pacquiao punch himself out in the 7th? That might be Bradley's strategy. A hard left by Pacquiao and Bradley loses his balance. Another combo by Pacquiao. Bradley lunges and misses and appears winded. The crowd boos as Bradley hits behind the head twice. Referee Kenny Bayless keeping things moving nicely. Another round for Pacquiao; I have it 6-2.
ROUND NINE
Bradley lands a straight right, then slips and falls into the ropes. Furious action as Pacquiao again unleashes a multiple combination against the ropes. Nice straight left by Bradley and then a right connects. But Pacquiao, in my estimation, is doing most of the work. 7-2 Pacquiao.
ROUND TEN
Bradley staying low. On this night, Manny Pacquiao seems quicker with his footwork. Pacquiao throws a left, and they exchange at close range. Another flurry on the ropes by Pacquiao, and he outworks Bradley again to take round 10. My scorecard looking eerily like the first fight. 8-2 for Manny.
ROUND ELEVEN
Bradley has a welt under his left eye. Hard right by Bradley. Again on the ropes, Pacquiao unloads. Pacquiao being careful not to allow a Juan Manuel Marquez-type KO punch. Bradley and Pacquiao exchange jabs, which have been few and far between. It was a close round, but I'll give it to Bradley. 8-3 Pacquiao.
ROUND TWELVE
Manny again gets Bradley omn the ropes and just unloads. Both fighters are going for it, standing toe-to-toe. Bradley tries to throw, but Pacquiao ties him up. Pacquiao cut by an accidental headbutt under his left eye. Bradley tries to go for broke but Pacquiao is too quick and slips most of the punches. It's over. I give the 12th to Pacquiao and have it 117-111 Pacquiao.
LOOKING BACK
You know about their first fight in 2012, which produced one of the most controversial decisions in boxing history, as Bradley won a split decision that spawned investigations and heavy criticism of the ringside judges who scored it for "Desert Storm."
Source: USA Today Sports/usatoday.com
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