Crawford says Bradley won first fight vs Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – Many boxing observers and fans believe Manny Pacquiao soundly defeated Timothy Bradley in their first fight in 2012 despite the official result.

WBO super lightweight champion Terence Crawford thinks otherwise.

“I thought he [Bradley] won. I didn't score the fight. I just watched the fight and I can't remember the score. But I know he won,” the 28-year-old rising star said in a report by boxingscene.com.

Bradley, whom Crawford considers his friend, pulled off a controversial decision over Pacquiao then lost in a rematch two years later. On April 9 (April 10 Manila time), he has another chance to fashion out a more convincing win over the Filipino.

Crawford, for his part, is confident that Bradley can achieve the feat.

“He's going to win. Because he's going to win,” he continued.

Crawford had been in the mix of selections for Pacquiao’s final fight set in Las Vegas, but with Bradley eventually landing the fight, the young champion is moving on. He will instead defend his title against Hank Lundy on February 27.

While he thinks Bradley won his first meeting with Pacquiao, Crawford said his friend lost the rematch.

“[Bradley] lost the second fight. He was winning the early rounds and he changed up his game plan. I think he hurt Pacquiao early, in the second round, and he just started going for the knockout after he hurt his calf,” he explained. – Dino Maragay