On what was one of the biggest nights of the year for boxing, it was controversy and outrage that stole the headlines. Just about every onlooker in the world had Manny Pacquiao winning the decision by a mile, other than two of the three judges scoring the fight in Las Vegas.
All three judges scored the bout 115-113, two of which had it in favor of Timothy Bradley.
Pacquiao continually landed his left hand to Bradley's face, continually dazing the up-and-coming fighter. He landed nearly 100 more punches than his opponent did, and Pacquiao's power punch numbers nearly doubled Bradley's.
Simply put, there was more to this than just the fight. Make the accusations of boxing trying to keep things interesting with Floyd Mayweather in prison, Manny Pacquiao unfairly delaying things for a basketball game or that the judges were paid off, the ultimate downfall is that the wrong man won. And now the chance of a Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight is basically none.
Something needs to be said for Pacquiao's professionalism throughout this whole scam. Even with the judges ripping him off, he remained calm throughout the entire process and said multiple times that he respected the judges' decision, making him the only person in the world to do so.
Pacquiao won that fight, and it wasn't even close. He was laughing at times in the final rounds because Bradley's punches weren't doing any damage. Even with a cut on his tongue, Pacquiao took very little damage to his body. He knew he had won, and the entire world knew it. Other than two of the three judges, of course. And that's all that really matters in the sport of boxing.
For more on the fight check out Bad Left Hook.