The fluorescent lights of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas towered over the heads of 14,665 fans, as they gazed at what was the final installment of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley trilogy. There was no shortage of buzz surrounding the rubber match prior to both combatants stepping inside the square circle.
For Pacquiao, it was his farewell bout and a chance to go out with a bang by defeating what many believed to be Bradley 2.0. Since teaming up with legendary trainer Teddy Atlas last year, Bradley boasted a more confident demeanor both in and out of the ring that many believed would be the x-factor needed to catapult “Desert Storm” past top opposition.
At the sound of the opening bell we saw both fighters begin to feel each other out, with neither man trying to risk anything to early. While Pacquiao was the busier fighter, Bradley displayed confidence and composure. We would see a lot of the same tone in the second round, but in the third Bradley began to come forward and landed the cleaner blows.
The fourth and fifth rounds had the crowd on their feet, as both men started to let their hands go, with Pacquiao getting the best of the early exchanges.
As the midway point of the fight came to a close Pacquiao began to extend the gap on the scorecards, only to land a quick right hook that brought Bradley momentarily to the canvas.
It was in the ninth round where Pacquiao seemed to cement his win by dropping Bradley for a second time with a strong left hook.
The closing rounds saw Bradley attempting every trick he and Atlas could think of, but it was too little, too late at that point. By the close of the fight, Pacquiao was clearly the better man.
Atlas would go on to plead with Bradley in the corner in the championship rounds to finish strong.
“I don’t care what’s happened,” said Atlas. “Give me the best six minutes you got!”
It wasn’t that Bradley fought a bad fight, it was just that Pacquiao had the perfect answer for anything Bradley had up his sleeve.
“This time I was aggressive and careful in the fight not careless,” stated a smiling Pacquiao.
“Every round I was looking for a way in, but Bradley is a good fighter and made it difficult,” said Pacquiao.
When asked if this was really the end of his legendary career, a cheery Pacquiao smiled and thanked the fans for all of the support he’s received throughout his career.
Pacman says he’s really retiring. #PacBradley pic.twitter.com/U2hfxNmYT7
— RoundByRoundBoxing (@RBRBoxing) April 10, 2016
While Pacquiao has his eyes set on a senate seat in his native Philippines, the retirement from the boxing game doesn’t seem officially set it stone.
Bradley on the other hand still has a lot to offer in the ring. When asked about the flash knockdown, Bradley amusingly answered, “Ooooo, ooooweeee!”
“I just have to go back to the drawing board with my trainer and my wife and see what’s next,” said Bradley.
“I can still fight, I just lost to a special fighter.”
Tonight, the boxing world witnessed the end of one of the most one-sided trilogies ever put on pay-per-view.
Loaded with drama, and controversy Pacquiao-Bradley III will go down in the history books in its own unique class. As far as the great Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and his future, only the man himself can answer that.
As of tonight, Pacquiao will trade in his gloves and focus on the world of politics.
Top photos by Mikey Williams/Top Rank
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Slideshow photos by Will Hart/HBO
