Pacquiao vs Bradley Fight: How to Move on from Controversial Decision

No matter how you scored the fight, chances are it's time to move on from the controversial decision that followed the Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley bout on June 9. I saw many fans so disgusted that they pledged to be done with the sport.

To those fans I'd say this: Remember why you loved it to begin with. Chances are it had nothing to do with the judges and almost everything to do with the head-to-head combat. The judges are a necessary component, but the love is for the in-ring action.

In light of that, I've jotted down some easy steps to help you shake off the boxing blues. They are as follows:

Put it in Perspective

This is just one fight. There are always decisions you won't agree with, this will never change. It's been that way for longer than any of us can personally account for.

Don't freak out over one unpopular decision.

When you really take a step back and look at it, the most agreeable decision is made more times than not. It's just like customer service in a store.

All the times you go into a retail location and receive great service, you generally disregard it after five minutes. But the moment you get that kid "helping" you in the store with an attitude, it sticks with you. It really isn't a holistic representation of the overall product.

Pacquiao himself was the beneficiary of an unpopular decision in at least one fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. Marquez had to move on, so should Manny and so should the angered fans.

Watch a Replay of Miguel Cotto vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

This was a mega-fight that didn't have a controversial decision. It was entertaining, and most came away from it with a positive feeling. It took place just over a month ago. Here let me help you:

You don't have to look too far back to find a positive example of the sport on a major stage. You should use this fight as a means to remind yourself what you love about the sport. Unless of course you hate Mayweather, then this wouldn't work out so well.

Looking Ahead to Potential Classic Bouts

Canelo Alvarez vs. Victor Ortiz - Sept. 15

This bout should be entertaining, if nothing else. Boxing fans will get a chance to see how Alvarez reacts to fighting another hard-puncher.

I don't think the judges scorecards will come into play in this fight, Both fighters have a KO ratio of over 60 percent, and I'm willing to bet someone gets stopped in this one. 

Ortiz still has to beat Josesito Lopez on June 23, but if he does, Alvarez is waiting for him on Sept. 15 per Sidney Martinez of Examiner.com.

Cornelius Bundrage vs. Cory Spinks - June 30

Even before the Alvarez and Ortiz clash, Bundrage and Spinks will compete for the IBF light middleweight title. It's a classic boxer vs. puncher bout that I think will end in a vicious KO in favor of Bundrage.

Also on that card (per Boxrec.com) is Erislandy Lara vs. Freddy Hernandez, and the man with the fastest hands in boxing, Gary Russell Jr. The 24-year-old featherweight phenom is 19-0, and he may be the sport's next superstar.

If you really love the sport, you'll shake this off as you have other unpopular decisions. If you agreed with the judges from the Pacquiao-Bradley bout, then you've already moved on. Either way, let's all just take the popular with the unpopular, and watch some great fights.

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