Regains WBO Welterweight title It’s Pacman!

LAS VEGAS — It was exactly the same as in their first encounter two years ago.

Manny Pacquiao was the more aggressive, dominant fighter. The only difference is that Pacquiao’s hands were raised in triumphant glory this time.

Flashing excellent boxing skills that resembled his old, deadly self, Pacquiao easily blitzed his way to an impressive unanimous decision win over the previously unbeaten American champion Tim Bradley to reclaim the WBO welterweight title last night before a sellout crowd of 15,601 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena here.

Aside from exacting vengeance at the man who snapped out of his 15-fight, seven-year winning streak, Pacquiao also scored a sweet redemption of sorts after losing to Bradley by a highly questionable split decision in June 2012.

A far cry from that heavily criticized verdict, all three the judges agree this time for a resounding victory Pacquiao richly deserved. Judges Michael Pernick and Craig Metcalf both scored 116-112, while Glenn Trowbridge penned it 118-110 for the Pacman. The FREEMAN saw it 117-111.

Pacquiao, who is guaranteed $20 million, improved his record to 56-5-2 (38KOs), while Bradley tasted the bitterness of defeat for the first time in 32 fights as a pro.

“Pacquiao did pretty well. We did not expect that Bradley will attack. He hurt Manny in the fourth but Manny came back in the seventh round and I thought from that moment on he’s already done with the fight,” said Pacquiao’s celebrated Freddie Roach in a post-fight press conference.

Compared to their first meeting, the eight-division world champion has shown significant improvement. He looked good, was very aggressive, moved smarter and above all he took a risk. He wasn’t afraid of getting hit as he fiercely exchanged blows and tenaciously chased Bradley to all corners.

“I’m satisfied with my performance. My opponent is good and he hit me with a couple of good shots, but I managed it all. I also tried to finish him off by throwing a lot of punches, but he was just tough. The Bradley I fought two years ago is very different now. He’s improved a lot,” said Pacquiao, who required at least 32 stitches to close the cut over his left eyebrow he sustained midway in the 12th round.

“This fight is very important for me and I’m happy that I won. My boxing journey will continue,” said the 35-year-old Pacquiao.

After a good start, Pacquiao went on to rattle Bradley with a left straight in the second round then dictated the pace of the match in the third. He toned down a bit after that, allowing Bradley to control most of the next three rounds. Bradley even hurt the fighting congressman from Sarangani Province with some solid shots including a big right hand to the chin in the fourth.

Pacquiao, however, came back to life in the seventh, where he toyed with Bradley using his vast experience and maturity. He connected beautiful combinations that rocked Bradley in the ninth and from there onwards, it was all his show.

“I have no excuses. Pacquiao is the better fighter tonight.  He shows what he’s made of and that he still has it. One thing I love about Pacquiao is that he never ducks from any opponent. I respect him much for that,” said Bradley, who got a warm hug of consolation from Pacquiao’s mom Dionesia right after the bout. “I don’t want to take anything out of Pacquiao. He fought a great fight. He did his best, he deserved to win and I have to accept defeat.”

Bradley, however, made it clear it was not yet the end of the road for him, even vowing to come back and become world champion again someday.

“I lost but the world is not over. I’ll go back to the gym and get better. I promise I’ll be a champion again,” added Bradley.

As for Pacquiao’s next fight, Roach has indicated that they are going after a fifth showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez. He did not discard though a marquee match-up with Floyd Mayweather, something that fans all over the globe clamor for.

“We’ll Marquez is a big fight for us if he wins his next fight,” said Roach. “If Mayweather is interested, we might fight him as well too.”

Even though they’re at odds with each other, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum is not completely closing the doors on Pacquiao slugging it out with Mayweather in the future.

“We are prepared to sit down with these people (Mayweather and his handlers) and discuss the conditions of the fight,” said Arum.

But for now, that is a highly improbable task to do with Mayweather playing hardball all the time.

As for Pacquiao, he will let Arum decide as to what’s up for him next. “My line is 24 hours a day for Mayweather and as for Marquez, he still has to win his upcoming fight. I will leave it up all to my promoter,” said Pacquiao.  — /BRP (FREEMAN)