It took all of 12 rounds for Manny Pacquiao to prove his supremacy over Timothy Bradley. Unlike the previous controversial split decision during their first bout, Pacquiao’s win was a convincing victory as it drew a unanimous decision from all of the judges. The 8-division world champion from Saranggani province once again proved that he is still the “pambansang kamao” (national fist).
But Pacquiao appears to have lost that knockout punch as he failed to send Bradley down to the canvass. Or it could be that his 30-year old opponent from California was just too strong not to be knocked down?
Guaranteed purse
The previously unbeaten Bradley suffered his first loss from the Filipino boxer but pocketed a guaranteed $6 million versus Pacquiao’s guaranteed $20 million on top of shared pay-per-view earnings.
His last knockout occurred nearly five years ago, in 2009, when so many sharp left hands shook, bruised and bloodied Miguel Cotto’s face.
Bradley probably angered Pacquiao with his pre bout comments which were direct, honest, pointed and ruffled. Bradley said he would retire Pacquiao. It worked against the American boxer as it brought back the Filipino’s killer instinct but still failed to win a knockout.
This writer watched the fight live on wide screen television at the board room of Blacktown Workers Club. He bumped into Col. Ricardo Santiago, currently Philippine Defence and Armed Forces Attaché who came all the way from Canberra just to watch the show with Gil and Bila Macaraeg.