Two years ago, Bradley took the World Boxing Organization (WBO)’s welterweight belt from Pacquiao in a controversial split decision vote. But on April 12, 2014, Pacquiao took that belt right back.
Manny Pacquiao, 35, took back the title as WBO Welterweight Champ in a hard fight against Timothy Bradley, 30, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
His win against Bradley was exactly what he needed after the fight two years ago, referred to as “Perfect Storm,” in which he lost after a shocking split decision vote — one of the most controversial of all time, and the first loss in seven years for Manny.
Following the fight, both Bradley and Manny held a press conference, where Bradley admitted he tried his best against the “great fighter.”
“I tried, I really tried. I really wanted that knockout. Manny is a great fighter, one of the best in the world. I tried throwing something over the top. I knew I had to do more in this fight than the last fight,” he explained.
Manny added that he “tried to finish him several times.”
“Many times I hit him hard, but he was still there,” he said in the press conference. “We cannot underestimate Bradley. He’s very tough.”
And while Bradley admitted he pulled a calf muscle in round one, he didn’t say that was an excuse.
“I have no excuses,” he said, even though he was limping on his way in. “Pacquiao was the better man. The reason I love Pacquiao is that he doesn’t duck anyone.”
The outcome wasn’t the only difference in this fight than in the 2012 one — Manny’s wife Jinkee wasn’t by the ring this time, as she stayed in the Philipines, as she is due to give birth to their fifth child, a boy they will name Israel. We’re sure she’s happy her husband is coming home in one piece — and with a huge reward of $20 million.
