Verdict shocks media

THE SPLIT decision verdict drew scathing commentaries from international boxing writers (See story on A1) and newspapers worldwide.

The boxing reporters of the world’s three biggest wire agencies—Tim Dahlberg of the Associated Press, Mark Lamport-Stokes of Reuters and Rebecca Bryan of Agence France-Presse—picked Filipino hero Manny Pacquiao as the clear winner.

From the Washington Post to The Daily Telegraph in Australia to The Guardian in England, the judges’ verdict elicited shock. The newspapers’ commentaries were as explosive as the public reception of Timothy Bradley’s stunning win.

“Timothy Bradley promised to shock, though the biggest shock in his fight with Manny Pacquiao came from the judges’ scorecards,” wrote AP’s Dahlberg in his lead paragraph.

The Daily Telegraph, one of Australia’s most-respected newspapers, carried the story of AFP’s Bryan but spiced up the copy with an online poll: “Was Tim Bradley’s split decision victory over Manny Pacquiao fair?”

Predictably, 75 percent of those polled said No; 25 percent answered in the affirmative.

Another online poll, this time by international sports television channel ESPN, asked the question, “Who won the fight?”

The result, as of 10 p.m. last night: Pacquiao 87 percent; Bradley 13 percent. Inquirer Sports Staff