PACQUIAO SAVES BEST FOR FINAL FIGHT, DROPS BRADLEY TWICE TO WIN TRILOGY
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 10 Apr 2016
Las Vegas -- When Top Rank Boxing announced that the third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley was signed, sealed and delivered - fans expressed their disappointment on Pacquiao and Top Rank's choice of opponent for his return fight after the sour Fight of the Century with Floyd Mayweather Jr. last year.
The fight met little or no buzz during its buildup and scores of tickets were still available on Fight Day.
But when the first bell went off, the MGM Grand Garden Arena was filled with 14,665 enthusiastic fans who went to see what could be Pacquiao's final ring appearance here in Las Vegas.
And boy, did they get their money's worth.
Manny Pacquiao scored two devastating knockdowns en route to a very convincing Unanimous Decision victory over Timothy Bradley in what was the most exciting fight of the trilogy.
Bradley was focused, determined and started the fight with a disciplined approach. He was successful with his jabs to the body and short shots to the head and his feints was effective in confusing his opponent.
And then Pacquiao started hitting him hard starting in the 4th round, a hard left by the Filipino icon sent Bradley to the floor in the 7th - the first of two knockdowns of the night and the first knockdown of their trilogy.
Pacquiao scored another knockdown in the 9th - another strong left from him sent Bradley spinning down in the canvas to the delight of his thousand of fans in the arena.
Bradley's mouth was bloodied after the last knockdown and he was a different fighter for the rest of the night.
Pacquiao cruised to a 116 - 110 win on all three cards at ringside and announced his retirement after the fight.
"Yes I am retired. I want to be with my family and serve the people," answered Pacquiao on queries if this was his last fight. His next battle will be his run for the Philippine Senate next month.
He praised Bradley on a great effort and thanked his fans for supporting him in his stellar career in the squared ring.
If this was his final boxing match, it was one of the most exciting fights of his brilliant career.
Manny Pacquiao saved his best for last.
Ramirez beats Abraham for WBO Super Middleweight title.
Gilberto Ramirez of Mazatlan, Mexico became the first Mexican fighter to win a Super Middleweight title when he dethroned WBO champ, Arthur Abraham in the co-main event of the night.
The taller and younger Ramirez used effective movement and accurate punching against his veteran opponent who he stunned plenty of times with his right hand.
Undefeated and only 24, Ramirez notched a shutout win with scores of 120 - 108 on all three officials who judged the fight at ringside and became Mexico's heaviest reigning boxing champion.
Photo: Manny Pacquiao (L) scores a knockdown in the 9th round over Bradley during the WBO International welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Saturday. Photo by Dr Ed de la Vega.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and @Freemazon910 on Twitter.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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