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Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, celebrates after defeating Timothy Bradley in the WBO welterweight title boxing bout Saturday, April 9, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, celebrates after defeating Timothy Bradley in the WBO welterweight title boxing bout Saturday, April 9, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)John Locher/Associated Press

Pacquiao vs. Bradley 3 Highlights: Recap, Results, Analysis of Complete Fight

Mike NorrisApr 9, 2016

The WBO international welterweight title now belongs to Mannyย Pacquiao.

Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley Jr. 3 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegasย went the full 12 rounds Saturday, but there was no disputing the winner.

Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KOs)ย took home a unanimous 116-110, 116-110, 116-110 victory, per HBO Boxing. The WBOย congratulatedย him on the victory:

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After his loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May, fansย criticized Pacquiao for not being aggressive enough. He said this time he took a different approach, perย Top Rank Boxing:ย "This fight is different because I was aggressive but also careful."

The first six rounds went by without much drama, butย Pacquiao earned knockdowns in Rounds 7 and 9.

By Round 11, Top Rank Boxing shared an image of a punchย Pacquiao had landed, which became all too familiar for Bradley:

Before the fight started, Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports gave the edge toย Pacquiao but felt as though fans would be in for a good fight:

According to ESPN.com's Dan Rafael,ย Pacquiao seemed loose before the fight, and the crowd was into him:

Pacquiao had a slight 3-2 edge after the first round in power punches landed,ย but Bradley impressed boxer Roy Jones Jr., perย HBO Boxing: "[Bradley]ย is doing a great job of parrying and keeping his distance."

The early rounds proved to beย uninspiring, but boxing announcer Jim Lampley said Bradley made the first real moves of the fight, per HBO Boxing:

Even so, Mannix thought the first three rounds were a bore:

Asย Rafael noted, the crowd was inย Pacquiao's corner, per HBO Boxing:

Bradley (33-2-1, 13 KOs)ย had trainer Teddy Atlas in his corner for the first time, and some thought it could be the difference in the fight. Atlas is one of the most respected trainers in the sport, but he was not happy with his fighter after the fourth round, per Mannix:

As the fight moved into the fifth round, both fighters began to land more punches, and it took an obvious step up in action. However, it seemed to be the timeย Pacquiao turned the corner.

He began landing his left with more accuracy and left Bradley bloodied and frustrated heading into his corner after the fifth round, per Top Rank Boxing:

From there,ย Pacquiao looked like he might dominate the fight, and there would be no controversyย similarย to the one from their first bout in 2012, when Bradley earned aย disputedย victory.

The first knockdown came in the next round, and HBO's Max Kellermanย thought Pacquiao was the clear leaderย despite a valiant effort from Bradley,ย per HBO Boxing: "[Bradley]ย is doing a lot of good things, but [Pacquiao]ย is just better so far."

However,ย Roundย 8 brought some excitement, as Bradley backedย Pacquiao up against the ropes and got the crowd on his side, per HBO Boxing.

Yet it was short-lived as Pacquiaoย knocked Bradley down hard in Round 9 and led 87-82, according to Rafael. HBO'sย unofficial judge,ย Harold Lederman, scored the fight 7-2 in favor ofย Pacquiao at that point.

Asย Pacquiao began to wear down Bradley, Mannix tweeted what most fans probablyย thoughtย of the rubber match:

The 37-year-old Pacquiao announced before the fight this would be his last, but Lampley said he doesn't think it should be, per HBO Boxing:ย "When [Pacquiao]ย fights this well, how can it be his last fight?"

After the victory, Pacquiao confirmed it was, perย Inquirer Sports: "I'm going to retire after this. Maybe I can enjoy being retired serving the people."

Jose R. Izquierdo IIย of the WBO said if it wasย Pacquiao's last fight, he left the sport better off than it was:

This was not a dominant performance by Pacquiao, but it proved he is a better fighter than Bradley. He attempted more punches and also landed more as theย aggressor. If Pacquiao stays true to his word,ย he'll go out as one of the best boxers of his generation.

Post-Fight Reaction

Despite all the talk of retirement before the match, and even right after,ย Pacquiao finally opened the door for a return, perย Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times:

Whether it was his last fight or not,ย Pacquiao was happy for the win and talked highly of his opponenet, per Rafael.

"I was looking for a knockout in every round," Pacquiao said. "He's a very tough fighter and a very good counter-puncher. Bradley is a good boxer, a great fighter and a good man. It was not easy tonight, [but] my right shoulder was fine. It gave me no problems."

Skip Bayless of ESPN praised both fighters, but alluded to the factย Pacquiao should be 3-0 against Bradley: "[Pacquiao] dominated a very good, tough fighter...three times. Dropped him this time and could've finished him.

Bradley was hard on himself following the loss, per Rafael: "Manny was very strong in there. Very heavy punches. He was also very patient," Bradley said. "I wasn't professional enough to stay patient myself, and I walked into shots."

Pacquiao wasn't the only one commenting on his possible retirement. His trainer,ย Freddie Roach, said he would support aย retirementย decision but seemed to make a push for keeping him in the ring just a little longer, perย Rafael.

"I loved the way Manny threw his combos. He may be a little rusty, but if he wants to continue fighting, I think he can still go," Roach said.

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