Yes, I am retired’ – Manny

Manny Pacquiao did Saturday night (yesterday in Manila) what he could not in their previous bouts, flooring American rival Timothy Bradley twice on his way to a masterful 12-round unanimous decision in their welterweight war at the MGM Grand, here.

As retirement beckons for the 37-year-old Pacquiao, holder of an unprecedented eight world titles in as many weight classes, the Filipino put on a show of force against Bradley, scoring knockdowns in rounds seven and nine.

The three judges, Burt Clements and Dave Moretti, both from Las Vegas and Steve Weisfeld of New York, all agreed in scoring 116-110 for Pacquiao, whose last fight was a disappointing decision defeat to Floyd Mayweather.

Although the first knockdown in the seventh seemed suspect, the second one in the ninth canto was legitimate.

Pacquiao sent Bradley, 32, down with a huge left to the kisser after landing a solid left moments earlier.

Bradley’s trip to the deck was comical as he fell on the seat of his pants before turning upside down, the majority of the crowd of 14,655 erupting in cheers.

As the audience eagerly expected a stoppage, Pacquiao could not put Bradley away although the Filipino icon said he had Bradley in trouble in the final seconds of the 12th and final round.

“He was hurt and if there was enough time, I could have probably finished him off,” said Pacquiao inside his dressing room, where personnel from the Nevada Athletic Commission took urine and blood samples from him.

DECIDED ON RETIREMENT

Getting ready to attend the post-fight press conference, all the talk inside Pacquiao’s dressing room swirled around his victory and his retirement.

“Yes, I am retired and I am not sure if I will return to the ring again,” Pacquiao told a Mexican TV interviewer.

The reporter wasn’t satisfied and simply wanted more, asking him about the possibility of a megabuck rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr., with whom he figured in the richest fight in the history of the game last year.

But Pacquiao wouldn’t budge, politely telling the reporter that this third fight with Bradley would likely be his last as he is concentrating on his impending role as a senator if he wins next month.

“As I have said, I don’t know the feeling of being retired so I don’t know,” said Pacquiao, who is said to be a sure winner during the May 2016 elections owing to his high survey rating.

Following the win, an emphatic one compared to the last in 2014, Pacquiao is expected to improve on his sixth to seventh place in the survey.

Politics, especially his entry into the Senate excites him so much that when the media who were given access to him in the dugout kept on asking him about his boxing plans, he had everyone laughing with his curt reply.

“Let’s not talk about boxing now,” he said, smiling.

Pacquiao had announced his plans to call it quits about three month ago and he kept on repeating it, sounding like a broken record when he did a whirlwind promotional tour in the US last January.

Nobody’s taking him seriously especially those in the boxing business, but Pacquiao insists that if he begins enjoying his new life, he’ll have no choice but to stay retired.

Besides, Pacquiao doesn’t need the money anymore, being one of the richest athletes today.

Another thing that could prevent him from coming back is his family, notably his wife Jinkee, who is pleading for him to stop.

“Tama na ‘yan (That’s enough),” said Jinkee.

BRADLEY: NO COMPLAINTS

Bradley, who actually fought well in the early rounds with excellent lateral movement and a piston-like jab, didn’t complain about the way the judges scored their third fight.

“Manny was very strong the entire fight and he was also very patient,” said Bradley, who won the first fight in 2012 on spotty scoring but dropped the rematch in 2014 on a clear-cut Pacquiao decision win.

Bradley blamed his eagerness to go toe-to-toe with Pacquiao, who welcomed the idea of a slugfest.

“I wasn’t professional enough to stay patient and I walked into his shots,” added Bradley.

Compubox (punch stats) showed Pacquiao landing 122 of 439 blows. Bradley could only hit 99 of 302.

In the power punches department, Pacquiao connected 92 of 201, while Bradley landed 87 of 218.

Still, Pacquiao gave credit Bradley for his gallant stand, praising him for his toughness.

“He was very tough and a very good counter-puncher,” added Pacquiao, who made his US debut 15 years ago and has now fought on American soil for the 26th time.

Pacquiao, who boosted his record to 58-6-2 with 38 KOs, weighed 145.5 lbs, while Bradley, who dropped to 33-2-1 with 13 KOs, came in at 146.5.

Pacquiao was guaranteed $20 million and Bradley about $5 million.

PALACE: NATION PROUD

Malacañang has congratulated Pacquiao on his decisive victory, saying it was a remarkable feat to cap his legendary career.

“Manny Pacquiao has done the Filipino nation proud again by winning decisively against Timothy Bradley,” Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

Coloma said they also applaud and thank Pacquiao “for demonstrating anew that the Filipino has the courage and skill to compete in the global arena.”

Asked if Pacquiao’s victory was a good way to retire from boxing, Coloma said: “Every champion wants to finish with a flourish. A victory provides an exclamation mark to a glorious career.”

Coloma said he has no information if President Aquino watched the Pacquiao-Bradley fight or if had called the boxer to personally congratulate him.

HOUSE LAUDS MANNY

Pacquiao’s colleagues in the House of Representatives extended warm felicitations to him for bringing honor to the country.

Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. and House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II said Pacquiao’s victory will further inspire Filipinos to excel and persevere.

“Pacquiao has solidified his legend as our country’s greatest boxing icon. Yet, it is his humility and generosity which make him larger than life to our people,” Belmonte said.

“His another victory will further inspire Filipinos to persevere in life. That’s would make us very proud of our race. Congratulations to him,” Gonzales, for his part said.

House Independent Bloc leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said the world boxing champion “proved that with solid determination and hard work, the Filipino can triumph over anybody or anything anytime.”

WIN COMFORTS AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also hailed Pacquiao’s victory, saying it “was a most welcome news, a consolation and a source of comfort for many of our battle-hardened warriors.”

Pacquiao’s win comes one day after the Basilan encounter with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) which resulted in the killing of 18 soldiers and the wounding of 53 other troopers.

“We were in Mindanao when Ltc. Manny Pacquiao’s victory was passed on to us. It was a most welcome news, a consolation and a source of comfort for many of our battle-hardened warriors,” said AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.

EMPTY SEATS

In Bataan, it was peculiarly a small crowd for a free viewing of the Pacquiao-Bradley fight.

Usually, the huge Bataan Sports Complex is filled to the hilt whenever Pacquiao’s fights are shown, but yesterday most of the seats were empty.

Organizers said it could be the consequence of news that the Commission on Election (Comelec) was poised to disallow the airing of the fight in view of complaints from politicians that it would give undue advantage to the fighting congressman who is running for a Senate seat.

CRITICS APPLAUD

Other senatorial hopefuls, including Pacquiao critic former Rep. Walden Bello, rooted for him to win his final fight before hanging his gloves.

Bello, who criticized the Sarangani lawmaker for pushing with his Bradley match, was equally ecstatic as most Filipinos for Pacquiao’s latest boxing conquest.

House senior deputy minority leader Neri Colmenares and independent senatorial bet Larry Gadon lauded Pacquiao’s victory, saying that he is still good for another fight as shown on the way he demolished Bradley with a convincing unanimous decision.

“His final fight should be with Floyd Mayweather Jr. or someone of that caliber.Manny entered the boxing world in a blaze of glory and should exit it in the same way.I don’t believe Bradley is the glorious end for such an illustrious career,” said Colmenares, a senatorial candidate of the Partido Galing at Puso under the tandem of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Nick Giongco

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