Manny Pacquiao said he still intends to retire from professional boxing, after scoring a well-deserved unanimous points victory over Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, although there was a hint he could carry on some time in the future.
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Pacquiao shook off the ring rust from a layoff of almost a year after losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr.to beat Bradley for a second time in the rubber match between the two fighters.
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.
The Island trainer traveled to California in mid-February and remained there in the seven-week run-up to Saturday’s face off between the two fighters who met in 2012 (when Bradley won) and 2014 (a Pacquiao decision). I promised not to be a boxer one day because boxing is a really hard sport and very difficult.
Like any good entertainer, Manny Pacquiao was good enough against Timothy Bradley to leave his fans wanting a little more.
From there Pacquiao wrested back control, highlighted by a right uppercut that dropped Bradley in the ninth. If he retires, I’ll be happy for him.
Bradley said Pacquiao’s pop was significant, however. “He was hurt and if there was enough time, I could have probably finished him off”, said Pacquiao inside his dressing room, where personnel from the Nevada Athletic Commission took urine and blood samples from him.
Manny Pacquiao, left, of the Philippines, tried to avoid a punch by Timothy Bradley during their WBO welterweight title boxing bout Saturday, April 9, 2016, in Las Vegas. “I’ve really appreciated all your help and support”. I don’t know what the feeling [of retirement] is. “But I love my family, I honor my family, my kids”.
Pacquiao hears the words, knows his body is telling him he can continue and it’s no wonder there’s some second-guessing in his heart. Despite the urging of his family to retire, the lure of even more big money fights ahead might be too much to resist.
“I was looking for a knockout every round”.
One thing that Bradley can’t be accused of is not giving his best for the fight that ended their trilogy at 2-1, for Pacquiao officially.
“I don’t how I got hit, I can barely remember the fight”.
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Bradley’s biggest moment came in the eighth round when he caught Pacquiao with a right, then proceeded to unload a flurry on his opponent, knocking him into the ropes twice.
