Controversial is an understatement to describe the split decision on last night's bout between the Philippine's Manny 'Pac-man' Paquiao and Timothy Bradley of the United States.
The match started out quite well and it looked to be a good fight when it was clear that both fighters will be going all out and no one will be on defensive mode like some of the more recent Paquiao matches.
The first five rounds showed Bradley being the more aggressive boxer with his hands down and attacking vigorously. Pacquiao was the more calculated boxer keeping his wits about him and countering Bradley when it mattered. Bradley threw more punches but it was clear that Pacquiao was landing more meaningful shots and was in better control of the match.
Bradley was visibly shaken on several occasions and it felt like it was only a matter of time before Manny will find on opening to knock him out cold.
However, after a very impressive and high octane first half of the bout thing started to taper out in the sixth round. Manny seemed to slow down and allowed Bradley to recuperate.
Soon enough the rounds were more even than at the beginning but Bradley was still hitting Manny's gloves or ending up wrapped around him. Pacquiao was still managing to connect two or three times per round but the spectacular knockout never came.
In the end, it had to go down to a decision. Everyone wasn't waiting with bated breath since it was clear that Pacquiao landed more punches on target and obviously hit Bradley with the stronger punches.
Surprisingly, the judges came out with a split decision. Being split was bad enough but the most unbelievable part was that it was in favor of Bradley! This is reminiscent of Pacquiao's last match where he won against Juan Manuel Marquez in a match where he was obviously unremarkable and the Mexican seemed like the better boxer.
C.J. Ross and Duane Ford for Bradley, 115-113.
Jerry Roth for Pacquiao, 115-113.
Two matches in a row with dubious results. It's starting to smell really nasty around the ring. various theories of fixed matches and betting conspiracies or business deals start to surface. Is Manny the hero of boxing or will he be the death of it?
Below are some negative reactions posted by celebrities on their twitter pages about the match:
@piersmorgan: That @MannyPacquiao decision is the worst since @GaryLineker borrowed Alan Hansen's hair dye.
@paulocoelho: Defeat never comes to any fighter until he loses his enthusiasm. Pacquiao, you are a winner.
@jtimberlake I'm gonna let it go... After I say this... Boxing was RUINED tonight for me.
@mileycyrus I couldn't agree more with the trending topics #mannypacquiaoisstilltheworldsbestboxer
@JSanchezAI11 Congrats to the new winner but I'm still really upset about the results :(
@SnoopDogg Ain't that sum bullshit Boxing is a wrap. Going bacc on that ultimate fighting
@JessicaBiel What a joke! I can't believe they gave it to Bradley.
@KhloeKardashian So when Bradley checks the tape.... And sees what we all saw... Will he give the belt to Pac? What winner says they need to check the tape?
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