Pacquiao vs. Bradley: Controversial Fight Will Go Down in History

It was shocking. It was horrific. It was maddening. It was...predictable.

Boxing has had its fair share of controversial decisions throughout the years, and Manny Pacquiao, who scored a controversial decision of his own against Juan Manuel Marquez in November, was the sport's latest victim.

Pacquiao, a worldwide legend, came into his bout against undefeated challenger Timothy Bradley on Saturday with only three losses and 54 victories to his name. But despite legitimately capturing nearly every round on Saturday, he fell victim to a majority decision that shook the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Ringside judge Jerry Roth's scorecard was read first..."115-113, Pacquiao." OK, fair enough.

But then came the next scorecard: "115-113, Bradley." Then you knew something was up.

You didn't want to believe what was happening, but the truth hit you like a hammer when the third scorecard read "115-113, Bradley."

It had happened. Boxing had deserted the man who had given it so much throughout the years. It had deserted the man who was undeniably the best boxer in the world for so many years. It had deserted the man who made you want to be a boxing fan.

Just like that, boxing had disgraced the most respected boxer in the world. And it did so when it couldn't afford to.

Boxing, which was already being seen as a dying sport by many boxing purists, had shredded the little dignity it had left. It had turned its back on the man who gave it so much life. And, with that, it turned its back on its fans.

This decision will forever be remembered. It shook the boxing world, and it made even the least skeptical look at the TV screen and go, "Huh?" It was a historic decision, because it will go down as one of the biggest shams in boxing history.

Pacquiao did not deserve to lose that fight. It's as simple as that. He fought well early and held his ground throughout. And everyone in the world knew that except for two judges who were swayed by who knows what.

What should have been an impressive victory for a legend turned out to be an unfathomable decision against him—and a reminder of how misguided boxing has become.

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