A Pacquiao-Bradley rematch? Not so fast

Manny Pacquiao has a contractual right to a return engagement after losing a controversial split-decision. But lukewarm public interest could derail such plans.




LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao reserved a contractual right to request a rematch against Palm Springs' Timothy Bradley if he lost Saturday.




And even though Pacquiao was left stunned by a split-decision defeat in which two of three judges awarded Bradley a 115-113 victory, it's not a given that the pair will reunite in November.

Fight promoter Bob Arum said after the bout that he heard from ticket brokers who said they would have trouble selling seats to a Bradley rematch because most fight watchers considered the World Boxing Organization welterweight title bout on Saturday at the MGM Grand a one-sided Pacquiao victory.

"The brokers are telling us if we make a Bradley rematch, no one will go," Arum said.

Todd duBoef, president of Arum's Top Rank promotional company, said he'd like to see the results of polls asking fans if they want a rematch before committing to a second fight.

Veering from Bradley would deny him another major purse after he earned $5 million against Pacquiao. Bradley manager Cameron Dunkin said following Saturday night's fight that he would expect a rematch purse to be "something near" $10 million now that Bradley has the belt.

So there's some leveraging going on too.

Pacquiao's alternatives would be another run atFloyd Mayweather Jr., who's due for release from Clark County (Nev.) jail on a domestic-violence conviction in August, or a fourth fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.

Bradley improved to 29-0 with Saturday's victory, but few outside of his supporters were buying the scores that favored him from judges Catherine J. Ross and Duane Ford.

Arum said Bradley told the promoter in the ring before the scorecards were turned in, "Manny's a great fighter. I tried as hard as I could, but I came up short."

Despite concerns Pacquiao (54-4-2) had been flat in his two previous fights and might be unfocused after experiencing a religious awakening this year, the Filipino superstar returned to form close to his peak and connected on 253 punches to Bradley's 159, according to CompuBox statistics.

"I was proud of Manny," Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said. "I thought it was his best fight since" a 2009 victory over Miguel Cotto. "He clearly won the fight. I think the judges had their eyes closed. Something wasn't right."

Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer said he does not anticipate any discipline or review of Ross or Ford.

"Every fighter who loses a close fight looks at the judges," Kizer said. "I think every judge should strive to get better."

Arum expressed concern for boxing fans' faith in the sport.

"The outcome of this is not good," he said. "I hope boxing recovers."

Pacquiao said he would "respect the decision, but I 100% believe I won the fight. The best attitude is respect and professionalism. I hope this dismay doesn't cause people to discard the sport. I'm still here. I can fight."

Arum told Pacquiao on the news conference stage that, "If you want," the Bradley rematch, "that's what we'll do."

Pacquiao, who hadn't lost since March 2005, hasn't knocked out an opponent in five consecutive fights. He said meeting Bradley again, "would make me become a warrior in the ring, because I don't want it to go to the judges."

Pacquiao had a 158-to-80 lead in punches-connected after seven rounds against Bradley, who twisted an ankle in the second round and was clearly failing to convince the champion that he was capable of a knockout.

"I was glad Bob Arum gave me an opponent who would fight toe-to-toe," Pacquiao said. "My goal was to exchange strong punches, but then toward the end he started running. … Aside from three rounds, I hurt him, and I know he felt that."

Bradley trainer Joel Diaz said his fighter won five of the last six rounds on Ross and Ford's scorecards by "moving."

"After the seventh round, I was continued action," Bradley said. "There were three judges, and two of them thought I won. What do you want me to do?"

source: latimes.com

Stunned Pacquiao eyes revenge in Bradley rematch

LAS VEGAS - Boxers usually look devastated in defeat but Manny Pacquiao smiled and turned his mind to quick, brutal revenge after being stunned by a controversial split decision loss to Timothy Bradley in their WBO welterweight showdown on Saturday (Sunday, PHL time).

Pacquiao said he was "100 percent" confident he had won the 12-round fight at the MGM Grand and, like his American challenger Bradley, eagerly looked forward to a rematch on November 10 at a venue yet to be decided.

"I didn't listen to the announcement because I thought I had won [verdicts from] all the judges," Filipino southpaw Pacquiao told reporters after ending an unbeaten run of 15 bouts.

"I respect the decision but 100 percent I believe I won the fight. I don't even remember if he hurt me one punch. He got me with a couple of jabs but I don't remember if he hit me a solid punch in my face.

"I give Bradley credit, maybe three rounds for him because in some rounds I relax. Aside from three rounds, every round I hurt him."

Pacquiao surrendered his WBO welterweight title after earning one verdict from judge Jerry Roth (115-113) while CJ Ross (115-113) and Duane Ford (115-113) gave the fight to the American.

The Filipino's trainer, Freddie Roach, was dumbfounded by the decision.

"I was very surprised they gave it so close," the bespectacled Roach said. "I had it for Manny by 10 rounds to two."

Even Bradley sounded surprised at the decision.

"Pacquiao was a tough, tough warrior. This guy can punch, he has speed. He has all the tools," he said.

"I used my ability to clear some rounds, maybe the last five rounds I feel, to get the victory. I am still shocked."

Dish served cold

While Pacquiao said he wanted to respect Bradley after a result which was roundly booed by the crowd, he promised to beat the American inside the distance when they next meet.

"It will make me a warrior in having this kind of rematch," Pacquiao said, looking to avenge the loss. "I want to finish him before the whole 12 rounds. I want the rematch."

Bradley, a 5-1 underdog against Pacquiao, was also itching to have the rematch, which he had arrogantly promoted during the build-up to Saturday's (Sunday, PHL time) fight.

"That was all my idea, pretty much," said the 28-year-old from Palm Springs in California after improving his career record to 29-0 with 12 knockouts.

"Just part of promoting the fight, hyping it up," he added, addressing reporters from a wheelchair.

"I felt I was going to win this fight so the rematch is in place, the date is there. It's definitely going to be a different fight."

Bradley conceded that hearing the boos from the crowd after the decision had been announced gave him added motivation to get back into the ring with Pacquiao.

"I'm happy to be the new welterweight champion but I definitely would like to do this again," said the American, who was back in the ring for the first time since he retained his WBO junior welterweight title by stopping Cuba's Joel Casamayor in November.

"I heard all the boos at the end of the fight, which is okay because we need to do this again. Let's make this more decisive."

Bradley spoke to the media while sitting in a wheelchair before being taken to hospital to have a check on his ankles, which he said he had twisted during the second round.

"I injured my left foot in the second round, twisted my ankle, and now both of my ankles are swollen," he added. "I got hit with some big shots early on but I persevered and went through the pain." - HS, Reuters

article source: gmanetwork.com