The three judges, Burt Clements and Dave Moretti, both from Las Vegas and Steve Weisfeld of NY, all agreed in scoring 116-110 for Pacquiao, whose last fight was a disappointing decision defeat to Floyd Mayweather.
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Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight title in 2012 to Bradley via a controversial split decision but dominated their rematch two years later to regain the belt.
Mayweather said he thought Bradley was winning the what turned out to be a pivotal seventh round until he was ruled the victim of a knockdown when his gloves touched the canvas after a half-punch, half-push by Pacquiao’s left.
Pacquiao, who is concentrating on his political career after this fight, said in the build-up to the event that he was not sure how he would feel in retirement, whether he would enjoy it or itch to return to the ring. “He’s a very tough fighter and a very good counter puncher”. Already a congressman in the Philippines, he is running for Senate in next month’s elections, a position that would take far more of his time and energy.
“I can still fight”, said Pacquiao, 37, after his best performance in several years.
Manny Pacquiao speaks with media following his victory against Timothy Bradley at MGM Grand Garden Arena at Las Vegas in U.S. on April 9, 2016.
Moments later, he insisted he was retired, saying, “My family wants me to retire and I will spend more time with them and focus on serving the people”.
“Let me enjoy first a retired life”, he said.
At the strong urging of his trainer Teddy Atlas, Bradley (33-2-1) continued to hang in for the latter rounds though he appeared in trouble at the final bell.
He came on strong in the fifth as well, staggering Bradley with his left near the end of the round as the pro-Pacquiao crowd roared its approval.
While boxing history is littered with fighters who have fought on for too long – with often calamitous results – Roach wondered whether Pacquiao in fact would be haunted by regret if he left too soon. However, after watching how well Pacquiao conducted himself in the fight, Roach said he would be happy to see the Filipino boxer continue. “He was different to the last two fights, and he improved”, Pacquiao said after the fight.
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Timothy Bradley falls to the mat after getting hit by Manny Pacquiao. “I just want to go home, be with my family and serve the people. I wasn’t professional enough to be patient myself and I walked into some shots”, said Bradley.
