Pacman’s revenge: Pacquiao reclaims WBO welter title, deals Bradley first loss

LAS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao showed fire still burned in the heart of the great champ, exacting revenge over previously unbeaten Timothy Bradley through a sheer display of superior boxing skills that netted a unanimous decision and a world crown.

For the eight-division world titlist, it was more than revenge and vindication for his 2012 controversial setback to the American as he underscored his durability and belied talk that he’s no longer the feared fighter with a killer instinct.

“This is an important win for me. I proved that my journey in boxing will continue,” said Pacquiao, who regained the WBO welterweight title before a screaming and predominant Filipino crowd of 15,601 at the MGM Grand Saturday night (Sunday noon in Manila).

Millions more watched the fight telecast worldwide with the decisive win savored by fans back home as Pacquiao showed who’s the better fighter.

He took a few good hits early on but spent the last few rounds chasing his opponent around the ring.

At 35, Pacquiao proved that he remains a great champion.

“I’m so happy to be a world champion again,” he said on top of the ring as the crowd stayed up on its feet celebrating with the Filipino champion, who was guaranteed $20 million for the rematch.

Pacquiao rejoiced after the decision was announced. He went down on his knees and prayed in his corner while Bradley took the defeat the way champions do.

Two judges – Michael Pernick and Craig Metcalf – scored the bout, 116-112, while Glenn Trowbridge had it 118-110. There was no controversy this time, no questions raised unlike before when Bradley won a fight many believed he lost.

It was the second straight victory for Pacquiao since losing to Bradley and being knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012. Last November, he went to Macau to beat Brandon Rios.

In a couple of weeks, Pacquiao’s wife, Jinkee, will give birth to their fifth child, and just days ago he said that his wife couldn’t watch the fight live.

There’s no definite plan yet when Pacquiao would fly back home but a team insider said he plans to go back to Los Angeles on Monday.

Pandemonium broke loose the moment the verdict was announced as Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao, in white Filipino terno, climbed the ring and congratulated her son and gave the dethroned champion a big hug while Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez climbed the ring post and waved the Cleto Reyes gloves Pacquiao used in the 12-round fight to the crowd.

Mommy D stole some of the fight highlights as she was constantly being beamed at ringside doing what looked like curious incantations and trying to put a spell on the American fighter.

Bradley started strong and wanted to take the fight to Pacquiao. He obviously went for the knockout and tried his luck with his right. In the fourth round, he caught Pacquiao with a solid right and rocked the Filipino.

All three judges gave Bradley rounds four and five. At the close of the fifth round, the 30-year-old American looked at Pacquiao and walked to his corner shaking his head like saying, “You can’t hurt me.”

But that proved to be his best rounds because Pacquiao dominated the fight from the sixth round onwards. Bradley tried to play mind games with Pacquiao and showboated.

“In the fifth and sixth rounds Bradley got tired and Manny started to dominate the fight,” said chief trainer Freddie Roach.

In one of the breaks, trainer Joel Diaz was shouting instructions in front of Bradley’s face, perhaps trying to ask his fighter to focus more on landing punches.

Bradley moved around the ring more in the closing rounds. He was in survival mode. In the last round, there was an accidental clash of heads, opening a cut near Pacquiao’s left eye.

When the bell sounded, it was clear who the winner was.

Bradley congratulated Pacquiao immediately after the fight, saying Pacquiao fought the better fight and that “you deserved the win.”

Bradley claimed he hurt his right calf during the opening round, and said, “From that point on I knew I had little to work with because the plan was to dominate Pacquiao.”

Still, Pacquiao told the post-fight press conference that Bradley fought better this time than in 2012.

“Bradley was better than in our first fight. He hurt me in the chin. So, in the second half I listened to my corner and they told me to work on my timing.

“Coach Freddie told me to make the adjustments and I did. Bradley was wild on the outside so I took the fight inside,” said Pacquiao.

It took Pacquiao more than an hour to face the press because of the cut that needed 25 stitches to close.

The fight surgeon said the cut was stitched in two layers, with 15 stitches on the inside and 17 on the outside. The doctor described the cut as “star-shaped” and measured 2.5 centimeters by one.

But Pacquiao didn’t mind, saying he was okay.

Everybody knew he was.