Timothy Bradley’s Controversial Claim
Timothy Bradley, a former champion in two weight classes, continues to defend his contentious assertion that he triumphed over Manny Pacquiao in their inaugural bout, a claim that has been met with widespread skepticism. The first bout took place in 2012 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and the decision to award Bradley a split decision victory sparked significant controversy within the boxing community, as many believed Pacquiao had clearly outperformed him.
Subsequent Matchups and Bradley’s Belief
In subsequent matchups, Pacquiao decisively defeated Bradley, reaffirming his dominance in the rivalry. Despite these results, Bradley remains firm in his belief that he deserved the first fight’s decision.
“Boxing is a sport of endurance, it requires strength and resilience, qualities that define a champion. I fought hard, and while it was a challenge to handle the aftermath, I stood by my performance,”
Bradley shared in an interview with Top Rank, reflecting on the negative reactions he received following the decision.
Confidence and Preparation
Bradley also disclosed that his confidence was so high going into the match that he had already prepared promotional materials for a rematch before the fight even started.
“Many fans may not know this, but I was so sure of my abilities, I got rematch posters printed before I stepped into the ring with Pacquiao,”
said Bradley, reiterating his belief in his skills.
Support from Analysts
He expressed,
“I firmly believe I won that fight. Surprisingly, there were boxing experts who backed me to win. While the majority expected Pacquiao to take the win, notable analysts like Max Kellerman and the late Emanuel Steward believed in my potential to triumph.”
Bradley’s Edge and Historical Context
Bradley credits his favorable positioning for success to his youth, increased strength, and the arduous journey he took to reach championship status, providing him with an edge in the ring.
“I knew this was my moment, my chance to shine, and that’s why I felt compelled to print those posters—everyone was going to see a rematch in the works.”
Scoring and Legacy
According to World Boxing News, the scoring from all three of their encounters painted a stark picture of Pacquiao’s superiority, with overwhelming margins in victory. The scores were recorded as 118-110 in the first match, 118-111 in the second, and 117-109 in the final encounter, all favoring Pacquiao.
While the official record reflects Bradley’s singular win, history chronicles Pacquiao’s swift movements, tactical acumen, and overall mastery across their trilogy, thus cementing Pacquiao’s reputation as the true victor among boxing enthusiasts and analysts.
