This past Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Manny Pacquiao felt the same frustration that his nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez has felt on more than one occasion. Yet, this was not a close fight that could have gone either way. This was a one sided rout who’s official outcome is inexplicable. However, this is professional boxing, the theater of the absurd, where nothing should come as a surprise.

In the aftermath, Timothy Bradley emerged as the new WBO welterweight titlist. Despite requiring the use of a wheelchair in the post fight press conference, this was the man who was declared victorious. The man who, according to CompuBox, landed nearly 100 punches less over the entire fight, and was out landed in 10 of 12 rounds. Neither man was particularly marked up, but it was obvious who I would rather have been when it was all over.

Many have deplored this dubious decision as a black eye for boxing, proof that boxing is dead and yet another example of corruption in a dirty game. What hasn’t been discussed enough is how good of a fight was tarnished by its questionable official outcome. A hotly contested, gritty 12 round affair has been reduced to idle chatter about everything that is wrong with this sport. The real sore spot is that that is what is being talked about, and not the actual physicality of the fight.

Pacquiao started at a measured pace, settling into a groove through the middle rounds of the fight. He used his jab well, and had Bradley hurt on a couple of occasions. The tenacity and fighting spirit of Bradley would not allow any sort of let up. Even with injuries to both of Bradley’s feet in the early rounds, he never stopped coming. He moved forward at times and backward at others, gauging what strategy would be most effective. Bradley seemed to strengthen as the fight went on, but at no time appeared to be in control.

Then came the decision. Michael Buffer read the scores. 115-113, for Pacquiao. Uh oh, a harbinger of a split decision. Could this happen? 115-113, for Bradley. Then, 115-113 for the new….and the crowd erupted. Not in a good way.

I exited the arena among a sea of stunned faces. Looks of shock and dismay were all around. Into the media room, I encountered many feeling the same way. Was this perhaps some sort of comeuppance for Pacquiao’s last fight, a controversial spit decision victory over Mexican legend and rival Juan Manuel Marquez? Pacquiao trainer and new HOF inductee Freddie Roach openly wondered the same thing as he took the microphone.

Top Rank chief and promoter of this event and both fighters, expressed outrage over the decision. In his next breath, he said it couldn’t have happened to a nicer kid than Timothy Bradley. A potential rematch looms in November, but the issue of Bradley’s injuries still needs to be addressed. Can Bradley be ready for another mega fight so soon? Is there public demand for a rematch right away after this decision left so many disappointed? These are the questions that Top Rank will need to find answers for before moving ahead with their fall plans.

Undercard Notes

Cuban sensation and WBA super bantam weight titlist Guillermo Rigondeaux absolutely destroyed Teon Kennedy over 5 rounds and 5 knockdowns to retain his title. At 31 years old and only 10 professional fights, he is ready for the biggest challenges on or near his weight division. He looked very impressive, and should have gotten some decent exposure on this PPV card. An all Top Rank showdown with WBO titlist Nonito Donaire is guaranteed fireworks. It will be interesting to see what he does next.

Randall Bailey rescued fans from boredom with a vicious 11th round knockout over previously undefeated Mike Jones. Boos from the crowd literally rained down starting in the first round, and extended into the 8th. The action picked up, and as Mike Jones opened up his attack, he opened himself up for Bailey’s counter punching with devastating power. In the 10th, Bailey unleashed a counter right hand that sent Jones down hard. In the 11th, a beautiful counter right upper cut ended the affair as Jones was unable to rise to his feet in the allotted 10 seconds.

Opening the night was all action Mexican star Jorge Arce versus Puerto Rico’s Jesus Rojas in a catch weight super bantam fight. After Arce floored Rojas in the first, the Puerto Rican opened the 2nd round with a head butt, followed by a low blow, and then a cheap shot as Arce turned away in pain from the previous 2 fouls. Arce was clearly in pain. His legs were unsteady as his equilibrium was very well disturbed. Unable to continue, the fight was declared a No Decision. I thought this was going to be the most disappointing part of the night…turns out the main event judges proved me wrong.