Pacquiao vs. Bradley Purse: What Desert Storm Earned from Controversial Fight

Timothy Bradley Jr. may have won the battle inside the ring on Saturday night via split decision, but Manny Pacquiao certainly won the money war. 

According to the Los Angeles Times, Bradley brought in an estimated $5 million for his efforts in Las Vegas, along with the WBO welterweight championship belt. 

Bradley still has ways to go though if he is going to catch the Pac-Man.

Controversy aside, Pacquiao left with a handsome $26 million, according to a tweet by FightNights.com:

"

Pacquiao $26mil vs Bradley $5mil purse According to the Nevada Athletic Commission.

— FightNights.com™ (@boxing) June 7, 2012"

What makes Bradley's improbable win even sweeter is that he could potentially double his purse in a rematch with Pacquiao next fall. 

According to the Los Angeles Times, Bradley's manager Cameron Dunkin would expect his fighter's purse to be in the ballpark of $10 million now that he is the reigning champion.

For Pacquiao, the large purse is common, but for Bradley, Saturday night's payout is only the beginning of what is sure to be a successful, money-making career, full of massive purses. At 29-0, Bradley is quickly gaining attention and fame.

The more he wins, the more he will be in demand for big fights. First it's $5 million, and by next November it could be $10 million. Before we know it the one they call Desert Storm will be challenging Pacquiao's purse.

It's hard to argue with that payout though. Whether there are doubts about the validity of the judges' decisions, Bradley delivered Pacquiao his first defeat in over seven years, and that's got to be worth something. 

Follow Patrick Clarke on Twitter for more on the World of Boxing.