Manny Pacquiao scored perhaps his most decisive win in a trilogy with Tim Bradley, dropping him twice and prompting suggestions that he need not retire after a unanimous decision win Saturday night at the MGM Grand.
And we’re underway!
Round 1:
Tentative opening frame and Pacquiao was the aggressor. He circled and pawed, but no big shots were landed. Bradley attempted to circle to Manny’s right. 10-9, Pacquiao.
Round 2:
Bradley boxed beautifully in Round 2. He controlled the center of the ring, jabbed well and made Pacquiao pay with a few counters. His body work was effective and he appears to be settling into a groove. 20-20.
Round 3:
It was a nip-and-tuck round, with both men countering but also letting their hands go for some big attempts. Nothing meaningful connected, though. Pacquiao shook his surgically repaired right shoulder as if to favor it. 29-28, Pacquiao.
Round 4:
Pacquiao zeroed in with some of his patented left hands and did his best work of the fight. He connected with a chopping right hand toward the end of the round, but Bradley also landed a good punch. Most clear round of the fight. 39-37, Pacquiao.
Round 5:
By far the best action of the bout. Bradley controlled the first two minutes, but Pacquiao rallied and connected with some stinging power shots in a wild exchange. Teddy Atlas wasn’t pleased. 49-46, Pacquiao.
Round 6:
Bradley being too patient. Pacquiao able to get off with his punches and Bradley will engage, but isn’t doing any damage. Pacquiao racking up rounds now on my card. 59-55, Pacquiao.
Round 7:
Down goes Bradley late in the round. He did nothing all round as the Filipino followed him around the ring. The knockdown was the result of a leaping straight right on the chin. Bradley didn’t appear to be hurt. 69-63, Pacquiao.
Round 8:
Bradley with his best round of the fight, and he needed it. He hurt Pacquiao with a combination and pushed him to the ropes, forcing the former eight-division world champion to cover up. He recovered quickly, though, and never was in danger of going down. 78-73, Pacquiao.
Round 9:
Pacquiao hurt Bradley with a massive counter left hook and then knocked him down with the follow-up attack. Bradley went down so hard he flipped over backward on his head. He beat the count on wobbly legs but Manny let him off the hook. 88-81, Pacquiao.
Round 10:
Bradley is a spent bullet. He looks like he’s finished now and isn’t able to get any work done. Pacquiao is cruising toward another victory and it’s hard to imagine this being his last fight. 98-90, Pacquiao.
Round 11:
Pacquiao is up 108-99 on my card as we head into the final round. It’s hard to imagine Bradley landing anything that can change matters — he’s not a big puncher.
Round 12:
Bradley was far more aggressive in the final round, but it was too little, too late. Pacquiao finished the round with a wild exchange in the corner. 117-109, Pacquiao.
Post-fight:
All three judges score it the same: 116-110 for Pacquiao, who put on a very impressive performance.
Pacquiao wouldn’t commit to retiring or fighting again during the post-fight interview with HBO’s Max Kellerman. Pacquiao said he’s happy he was more aggressive.
Bradley was a good sport and admitted that Pacquiao is just a special fighter. It’s hard to deny it. Bradley and Manny embraced and appeared to be making plans to meet Sunday morning.
If Pacquiao fights on, a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. makes all the sense in the world. Floyd going for No. 50; Manny going for
