Timothy Bradley Defeats Manny Pacquiao in Head-Scratching, Controversial Decision

Judge Jerry Roth scored it 115-113 for Pacquiao.  Judges C.J. Ross and Duane Ford gave Bradley a 115-113 edge to give Timothy Bradley the WBO welterweight title.  The $64,000 dollar question was, 'What fight were they watching?'

For twelve rounds, Manny Pacquiao toyed with Timothy Bradley, smiling every time Bradley landed one of his punches.  The CompuBox statistics were overwhelmingly on Pacquiao's side.  Pacquiao landed more punches than Bradley in ten of twelve rounds.  Pacquiao landed 253 of 751 punches (34 percent), while Bradley landed 159 of 839 (19 percent). Pacquiao also landed 82 more power shots (190-108).

Frankly, there was a weird feeling to the entire night.  It had been determined that Pacquiao would not enter the ring until the end of the Celtics/Heat game.  The fight before the main event ended early, and the HBO PPV crew was forced to go into a time filling mode.  Pacquiao spent another 15 minutes loosening his calves on a treadmill.  By the time both boxers touched gloves and were ready to get it on, it seemed as if everyone's nerves were frayed.

Anyone who watched the fight quickly realized Bradley is all will power, toughness, and guts.  Pacquiao was in an energy conserving mode, but when he landed his trademark 'straight left hand' it made an impact.

Bradley was his most vulnerable in the fourth round when Pacquiao rocked him with a straight left hand and Bradley rolled his ankle.  Bradley was saved by the bell and seemed to get his second wind as the fight wore on.

After nearly a day to absorb all the commentary and reflect on what I witnessed, I have come up with only three plausible explanations for last night's decision.

1. The judges are incompetent
2. The decision was a makeup call for the Marquez decision
3. The judges were mad that Pacquiao made them wait

The big loser last night was the boxing fan.  Yes, the negotiations for the Pacquiao/Bradley rematch are already in the works, but now Floyd Mayweather will have even more leverage if and when both camps sit down to talk turkey.