Pacquiao pounds Bradley to win one-sided decision

LAS VEGAS, USA (UPDATED) – Manny Pacquiao brought down the curtain on his career in devastating fashion, scoring two knockdowns en route to a one-sided decision victory over Tim Bradley Jr in their third meeting on Saturday, April 9 (US time) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

All 3 judges scored the fight 116-110 for Pacquiao, who at age 37 looked like the Pacquiao of old instead of an old Pacquiao.

Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 knockouts) appeared in devastating form as he dropped Bradley in round 7 on a right hook and replicated the feat in round 9 with a series of left hands that sent Bradley’s feet over his head.

Bradley (33-2-1, 13 KOs), who was fighting for the second time under trainer Teddy Atlas, boxed in a disciplined manner in the first 4 rounds before Pacquiao’s speed and power began to wear on the two-time welterweight champion from Palm Springs, California.

Bradley, 32, fought back valiently but was outgunned over the last two-thirds of the fight by the heavy-handed southpaw from General Santos City, Philippines.

“I was looking for the knockout in every round,” said Pacquiao, who was fighting for the first time since losing a decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr in May of 2015.

“Bradley is a very tough fighter. He is a very good counterpuncher. Teddy obviously made a difference because this was the best version of Bradley I have fought.”

Pacquiao was credited with landing 122 of the 439 punches he threw, according to Compubox tallies for a 28% connect percentage. Bradley landed 99 of 302 punches for a 33% connect rate.

Pacquiao and Bradley had each won a decision in their first two fights, with Bradley winning a controversial split decision in their first meeting in 2012 and Pacquiao returning the favor with a unanimous decision in their 2014 rematch.

After the fight, Pacquiao doubled down on his plans to retire as he seeks a seat in the Philippine Senate in the general elections on May 9. 

“I’m going to retire after this. Maybe I can enjoy being retired serving the people.”

Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum refused to entertain questions about future fights matching Pacquiao with undefeated fighters like Terence Crawford and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, telling reporters at the post-fight press conference “As far as I’m concerned, until I hear differently, Manny Pacquiao has retired from the sport of boxing.” – Rappler.com