Pacquiao vs. Bradley: Why Controversial Decision Ruined Future of Boxing

Cue up that cliche Steam song and wave goodbye to boxing, everybody, because after Timothy Bradley's joke of a victory over Manny Pacquiao, it's never coming back.

The legendary Pacquiao was clinical against his undefeated challenger, landing more punches (253-159), more power punches (190-109) and a higher percentage of his punches (38.5-27.7).

And yet, when the judges' scorecards were announced, they inexplicably read 115-113, 113-115, 115-113 in favor of Bradley. At that moment, as those utterly ridiculous numbers escaped the lips of Michael Buffer, the sport as a whole keeled over and died.

Statistics aside, to anybody who actually watched this fight—and doesn't have some sort of personal vendetta against Pacquiao—this was clearly a one-sided affair.

Pac-Man was the only fighter doing any damage, repeatedly staggering Bradley with his beautifully violent left hand. He also controlled the tempo of the fight, resting when he wanted to and pummeling the face of Bradley whenever he felt it was necessary.

This bout shouldn't have gone down as a win, but rather an annihilation. Give Bradley his props for keeping his head up and charging forward, but his own mother probably thinks he lost this fight. 

Instead, he was awarded a victory that will forever be tainted.

While the horrible decision by the judges is an indictment on the credibility of boxing (corruption, anyone?), it also crippled the sport's chances at once again dominating American culture.

With the possibility of a Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao superfight looming, boxing had an opportunity to produce yet another iconic moment that would define a generation.

In one ring, we could have had the two best fighters of an era, as well as two of the most compelling sports figures in the world, battling it out for supremacy.

That fight would have dominated the sporting world, shattering pay-per-view records and blowing the minds of boxing fans and casual citizens alike.

Instead, we will probably get Pacquiao vs. Bradley II, and the fight that could have saved the sport will be pushed to the wayside.

In an unfortunate series of events, boxing's relevance in American athletics was quickly fading. Now, it has officially been KO'd.