Tim Bradley: Let’s Do It Again, Make It More Decisive!
MGM Grand, Las Vegas – Boxers usually look devastated in defeat but Manny Pacquiao smiled and turned his mind to quick, brutal revenge after being stunned by a controversial split decision loss to Timothy Bradley in their WBO welterweight showdown on Saturday.
Pacquiao surrendered his WBO welterweight title after earning one verdict from judge Jerry Roth (115-113) while CJ Ross (115-113) and Duane Ford (115-113) gave the fight to the American.
“Pacquiao was a tough, tough warrior. This guy can punch, he has speed. He has all the tools,” Bradley said. “I used my ability to clear some rounds, maybe the last five rounds I feel, to get the victory. I am still shocked.”
Bradley, a 5-1 underdog against Pacquiao, is also itching to have a rematch, which he had arrogantly promoted during the build-up to Saturday’s fight.
“That was all my idea, pretty much,” said the 28-year-old from Palm Springs in California after improving his career record to 29-0 with 12 knockouts.
“Just part of promoting the fight, hyping it up,” he added, addressing reporters from a wheelchair.
“I felt I was going to win this fight so the rematch is in place, the date is there. It’s definitely going to be a different fight.”
Bradley conceded that hearing the boos from the crowd after the decision had been announced gave him added motivation to get back into the ring with Pacquiao.
“I’m happy to be the new welterweight champion but I definitely would like to do this again,” said the American, who was back in the ring for the first time since he retained his WBO junior welterweight title by stopping Cuba’s Joel Casamayor in November.
“I heard all the boos at the end of the fight, which is okay because we need to do this again. Let’s make this more decisive.”
Bradley spoke to the media while sitting in a wheelchair before being taken to hospital to have a check on his ankles, which he said he had twisted during the second round.
“I injured my left foot in the second round, twisted my ankle, and now both of my ankles are swollen,” he added. “I got hit with some big shots early on but I persevered and went through the pain.”