PACQUIAO - BRADLEY 2: A VIOLENT SERVING OF REVENGE AND REDEMPTION
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 13 Apr 2014
Las Vegas - "Revenge is a dish best served cold" states a popular expression. In the case of Manny Pacquiao versus Timothy Bradley Jr. 2, it was also served with hooks, uppercuts and jabs from both fighters who wanted to redeem themselves after a controversial first fight in 2012.
It was a healthy dollop of boxing from two outstanding fighters of the sport. And the fans at the arena and their TV and Internet - capable devices worldwide came out satisfied from what the two delivered - a war offered on a plate that was the MGM Grand Garden Arena ring.
Pacquiao, 35, reclaimed his old WBO welterweight strap by beating Bradley, 30, literally, physically and in the score cards in 12 rounds of heated action in the same venue of their initial outing.
This time, the judges' final scores of 116-112, 116-112 and 118-110 was a welcome result and is without the controversy or debate of their first duel.
Pacquiao punished a very game and tough Bradley, winning 8 rounds and more in all three judges that were tasked to score this championship rematch.
Bradley refused to go down from Pacquiao's flurries, he took them hard and withstood them all. He was launched from his feet a couple of times but he never tasted the canvas. He even managed to hurt Pacquiao with bombs courtesy of his right hand which also catapulted Pacquiao off his shoes - and Pacquiao also took them well.
It made for a great and brutal match between two stakeholders of the WBO's welterweight diadem.
A very happy and relieved Pacquiao embraced his old belt as it was handed to him after the announcement. It has been two years since it got separated from him and now it is back on his waist once again.
"I am so happy to be a world champion again," expressed Pacquiao after the fight. He explained that he had to do better in this fight against a much-improved Bradley.
"Bradley is better tonight than our first fight. He hurt me on the chin. In the second half of the fight, I listened to my corner and they told me to work on my timing. Freddie told me to make adjustments and I did. Bradley was wild in the outside so I took my fight to the inside," said Pacquiao.
Bradley was a tough cookie and he did not crumble despite Pacquiao's continued pouncing. But an old injury haunted him again like their first outing. He reasoned out that he hurt his leg in the fight, reminiscent of their first, but he would never elaborate on it - afraid that he will be accused of making excuses again.
The now former champ gave credit to Pacquiao and is consoled that his first setback came from one of boxing's greats and from one of the sport's best fights.
"Manny is a great fighter. One of the best fighters in the world. I lost to one of the best fighters in the world," accepted Bradley.
Bradley lost for the first time in his career and his welterweight strap tonight but is bent on fighting forward after this.
"Life goes on. It is not over. It is just back to the gym."
For Pacquiao, the choices are pretty obvious. It is either those undying talks of a mega showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. or a fifth dance with rival, Juan Manuel Marquez - if Marquez is victorious over Mike Alvarado next month.
But before that, he will be cherishing his belt once again and the thought that revenge and redemption were both accomplished by him tonight.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and on Twitter @Freemazon910.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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