Pacquiao vs. Bradley: Why Shocking Decision Hurts Bradley More Than Pac-Man

Timothy Bradley got the thrill of a lifetime when he heard his name called as the new welterweight champion in what was a shocking finale to what appeared to be a one-sided fight.

Manny Pacquiao had control for the majority of the fight and out-punched Bradley by a monumental amount. It was obvious that Pac-Man's power was too much, no matter what Bradley might say, according to ESPN.com.

"I thought I won the fight," Bradley said. "I didn't think he was as good as everyone says he was. I didn't feel his power."

That is hard to believe, coming from the mouth of a fighter who stumbled across the ring as Pac-Man handed out some of his hardest punches of the night. I'm pretty sure Desert Storm felt his power, or maybe we all just imagined it.

Bradley might have the welterweight championship around his waist, but it has absolutely no clout with the sport's fans, diehard or not. In boxing, as is the case in all sports, public perception matters if an athlete wants the respect for his or her accomplishments.

Desert Storm is getting no respect at the moment, and deservedly so. He didn't win this fight.

Granted, the two rogue judges are to blame for this decision and not Bradley, but that still doesn't make it any better. Bradley's legacy and legitimacy as a champion is the collateral damage of what stinks like a corrupt operation.

The only way Bradley could truly capture the acceptance of his achievements would be to beat Pacquiao if a rematch should occur—but not the same way he did in the first match.

Seeing is believing, and it's safe to say we'll have to see Bradley physically beat Pacquiao before we can take that belt around his waist seriously.