Third fight vs Bradley very competitive—Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao and TImothy Bradley Jr. during their fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, April 9, 2016. Pacquiao beats Bradley via unanimous decision in his “last fight.” PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA

LAS VEGAS — The feeling was mutual.

Timothy Bradley said he battled the best Manny Pacquiao.

When his turn at the podium came, Pacquiao retorted: “The best Bradley I have faced.”

No wonder, Pacquiao-Bradley III turned out to be the best of the three fights they’ve staged.

“Great action,” said Pacquiao, who sported a gash and a mouse on the left side of his face after the 12-round battle for the World Boxing Organization international welterweight title. “It was very competitive.”

It wasn’t an all-out war or relentless bombardment that happened out there. Rather it was a battle of wits and strategy that transpired.

Pacquiao emerged the winner, but Bradley fought up to the very end. His chances were diminished greatly by the knockdowns he suffered in the seventh and ninth rounds.

Here’s glimpses of how the fight went:

Round 1
Bradley connects first with a right. Pacquiao, using his lead right, lands left. Though they were feeling each other out, Bradley,was busier and sneakier.

Round 2
Pacquiao beats Bradley to the punch with with a left straight. Pacquiao connects with a left as Bradley misses wild. Bradley fired head shots during the clinch. Pacquiao lands left anew and follows it with a right.

Round 3
Bradley steps up pace and attacks, Pacquiao lands a left as Bradley misses. Bradley shifts target and connects to the body.

Round 4
Bradley opens up with a right. Pacquiao finds rhtyhm and lands lefts. Pacquiao started moving his head more while throwing lefts and rights. They traded punches as bell sounded.

Round 5
Pacquiao darts in and out as Bradley shifts attack to the body.

Pacquiao lands left as he steps up attack. Bradley lands body blow.

Bradley unloads left, right combination, but Pacquiao counters with two lefts before bell sound. Bradley shakes head as he goes to the corner.

Round 6
Pacquiao lands short right, then another rigght. Pacquiao unleashes a flurry of punches and caps it with a right that hits its mark.

Round 7
Pacquiao penetrates and Bradley counters with a right and left hook.

Bradley attacks and Pacquiao lands right. They exchange punches and Pacquiao connects with a right and a left that downs Bradley.

Round 8
Pacquiao fires combination to Bradley’s face. Brad staggers Pacquiao with a right and follows up with a barrage of punches. Pacquiao charges back late in the round, but it was too late.

Seizing momentum, Bradley attacks early, moving around. Pacquiao lands solid left, then another left that send

Bradley tumbling bck to his feet. Pacquiao tries to finish Bradley off, but sees no opening.

Round 10
Pacquiao continues sniping with a right,then connects two more rights. Pacquiao lands two shots even as Bradley connects as bell sounds.

Round 11
Bradley sneaks in shots as Pacquiao dfrops guard. Pacquiao fires lead left jabs and connects with rights.

Round 12
Bradley lands right as Pacquiao fakes attack. Bradley lands low blow, but fight resumes in seconds. Pacquiao goes side to side to side and Bradley hits him in the clincch. Pacquiao plants feet firmly and goes toe-to-toe with Bradley.

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