Pacquiao overwhelms Bradley, wins final fight
LAS VEGAS: Manny Pacquiao crowned his 21-year professional career with an emphatic victory over Tim Bradley here on Saturday (Sunday in Manila, delivering a vintage performance before saying a farewell to boxing.
Pacquiao -- fighting for the first time since his defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. last May in the “Fight of the Century” -- knocked down Bradley twice on his way to a unanimous decision.
The judges’ scorecards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena told the story of Pacquiao’s dominance in the non-title welterweight duel, with the 37-year-old eight-division world champion winning by identical margins of 116-110 on all three cards.
Pacquiao had insisted Saturday’s bout—the 66th of his career—will be his final fight before he focuses on his political career in the Philippines, where he is seeking election to the Senate next month.
Many ring-watchers, however, are skeptical, believing he may well be tempted to extend a career that has seen him earn more than $500 million.
Yet asked afterwards if he planned to stay retired, Pacquiao replied, "I think so. I've made a commitment to my family that I'm going to retire after this.
"Maybe I enjoy being a retired man, serving the people, helping the people," he said, before giving a farewell message to his fans.
"Thank you to all the fans in boxing, especially the Filipino people. I've really appreciated all your help and support."
Pacquiao had promised an explosive performance and was as good as his word for long periods, uncorking some trademark combinations to overwhelm Bradley.
"Bradley is a good boxer, he's a champion, he's a man. It was not easy tonight," he said, shortly before a warm embrace in the ring which concluded with the two fighters arranging to meet for breakfast on Sunday.
'A special man'
Bradley, meanwhile, paid tribute to his opponent.
"I fought really good tonight but I don't know what was going on," he said.
"He always seemed to be in the right spot. He was a step ahead of me when I was supposed to be a step ahead of him.
"He used his experience against me, his ability and he won the fight tonight...I'm in there with a special man, Manny Pacquiao."
A cagey opening round had the feel of a tactical battle, with Bradley carefully keeping his distance as he circled the marginally more aggressive Pacquiao, who threw 33 punches to Bradley's 19.
The next three rounds followed a similar pattern, with Pacquiao looking the more menacing fighter, relentlessly stalking Bradley around the canvas, cutting off angles and connecting with more meaningful blows.
Bradley landed occasionally but it was Pacquiao who did the most damage, landing a straight left that caught his American rival flush on the chin in the second round.
He started confidently in the fifth round but again his good work was undone by Pacquiao in the final minute when the Filipino uncorked a series of combinations to score heavily.
A weary Bradley returned to his corner to be admonished by his trainer Teddy Atlas, who yelled "Are you kidding me?" at the 32-year-old as he attempted to raise his fighter for the later rounds.
But the template had been set for the next round, with Pacquiao producing flurries of counter-punching to take the round.
In the seventh, Pacquiao stretched his lead further, scoring a knockdown with a right hook to the chin that sent Bradley falling to the canvas.
Bradley responded bravely in the eighth, however, wobbling Pacquiao with a left hook and backing up the Filipino relentlessly.
Yet Pacquiao's response in the ninth was emphatic, luring in Bradley and then tagging him with a left hook to wobble the American.
A further left hook sent Bradley down for the second time leaving Pacquiao with a commanding lead heading into the final three rounds.
50-50
A smiling Pacquiao later appeared before reporters and admitted that while he was conflicted about quitting the ring, his decision -- for now -- was to spend more time with his family before concentrating on his political career.
When asked if he might best serve his homeland by continuing to fight, he replied that he had promised his family he would retire.
"Let me enjoy first a retired life," Pacquiao said. "I'm not there yet, so I don't know what it feels like. But I made a commitment to my family. I made my decision."
Invited to make a definitive declaration of retirement, Pacquiao smiled.
"My heart is 50-50," he said. "But I love my family, I honor my family, my kids... right now, my decision is to retire."
Pacquiao's closest boxing confidant, trainer Freddie Roach, admitted he hoped to see the Filipino fight on.
"I would like to see him fight again, yes," Roach said, while stressing he would back Pacquiao whatever he decided.
"We've had a great 15 years together. If he retires, I'll be happy for him. That's kind of up to him," he added.
"I know he's in physical shape to keep fighting -- his speed is good, his legs are good, his work ethic is great.
"He could continue to fight on, but if he retires and spends more time with his family and he enjoys life, and has something to fall back on, then I'll be 100 percent behind him."
AFP