Stunned Pacquiao wants Bradley revenge
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Shanghai Daily, June 11, 2012
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 in Las Vegas on Saturday.
 |
|
Timothy Bradley (L) lands a punch to the face of Manny Pacquiao during their WBO welterweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 9. |
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.
"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.
"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.
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 met.
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 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.
It was Pacquiao's first defeat since he lost to Erik Morales in Las Vegas in March 2005, ending a run of 15 consecutive wins by the Filipino who has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)