LAS VEGAS, Nev. . - Manny Pacquiao won a unanimous decision in his rematch with Timothy Bradley on Saturday night, avenging his 2012 loss and claiming the WBO welterweight title. Pacquiao (56-5-2) pursued and peppered the previously unbeaten Bradley around the MGM Grand Garden ring with an aggressive performance recalling the Pacman in his prime. Bradley fought back with counterpunching and elusiveness, but Pacquiao kept up his attack while Bradley (31-1) struggled down the stretch. Pacquiao left little doubt about the result of the rematch in the same arena where they met nearly two years ago. Bradleys split-decision victory astonished most ringside observers, who felt Pacquiao had earned a clear decision. Judges Craig Metcalfe and Michael Pernick scored the rematch 116-112 for Pacquiao, while Glenn Trowbridge favoured the Filipino congressman 118-110. The Associated Press scored it 116-112 for Pacquiao. After the fight, Bradley said he injured his right calf early on. But he also applauded the decision when it was announced, and he congratulated Pacquiao in the ring. "You won the fight, you deserved the win," Bradley said. "I have no excuses." Pacquiao landed 35 per cent of his 563 punches, while Bradley connected with just 22 per cent of his 627 blow. Pacquiaos jab was much more effective, landing 23 per cent to Bradleys measly 11 per cent, and the Pacman had a slight edge in landing 148 power punches to Bradleys 109. Pacquiaos performance righted one of the biggest perceived wrongs in recent boxing history. Pacquiao was an eight-division world champion on 15-fight winning streak when Bradley was awarded a split decision in their last bout. Pacquiao was more aggressive and accurate from the opening minutes of the rematch, sticking to trainer Freddie Roachs pleas to take the action to Bradley. They exchanged big shots in the opening rounds, but Pacquiao appeared to wear out Bradley with the heavy early pace — and the Pacman never slowed down. Although Pacquiao couldnt knock down Bradley, he answered the questions raised by Bradley about his killer instinct with a consistent attack all night. The arena was crackling with energy when both fighters made their ring walks, with Pacquiao in the unusual position of going first as the challenger. Pacquiao landed a series of big left hands in the early rounds, knocking back Bradley with gusto. Bradley responded impressively in the fourth round, wobbling Pacquiao twice with a right hand. The pace slowed in the fifth, with Bradley showing off his defence and movement while Pacquiao attempted to trap him against the ropes. Pacquiao appeared to wobble Bradley late in the seventh round with a vicious combination, but Bradley stood with his back against the ropes and defiantly encouraged it, blocking most of the shots. Bradley appeared to pretend to have wobbly legs at one point after a Pacquiao miss, but his open mouth betrayed his weariness while Pacquiao steadily racked up rounds midway through the fight. Bradley came on strong in the 12th, and the fighters heads collided late in the round. Pacquiao avoided any trouble until the final bell, when he did a short dance step to his corner. While Bradley remains publicly confident he beat Pacquiao in their first bout despite fighting on two injured feet, that much-derided decision sent both fighters careers on wild spirals. The two judges who scored the bout 115-113 for Bradley are no longer in the boxing business, but their decision ended Pacquiaos 15-fight win streak and forced Bradley to defend himself against widespread criticism of the result. Bradley endured death threats and depression before returning to the ring in unusually reckless style. He brawled with Ruslan Provodnikov in March 2013 in a sensational unanimous-decision victory that silenced critics of his style and heart. Bradley then outpointed veteran Mexican champion Juan Manuel Marquez last fall, polishing his skills and making himself attractive to Pacquiao for a rematch. Pacquiao was knocked unconscious by Marquez in the sixth round of their fourth fight in late 2012, and he took nearly a year off before returning for an unspectacular victory over Brandon Rios last fall. Pacquiaos last two performances prompted Bradley to declare Pacquiao had lost his killer instinct, noting he was unable or unwilling to stop any of his opponents since late 2009. . And on Sunday against the Houston Astros they were pleased to see his work finally pay off with his first win since May 24. .Y. -- As if the worst start in franchise history isnt bad enough, Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black braced his teams win-starved fans for potentially more tough times. However, here - for your consideration or dismissal – are five theories as to the origins of the stick. 1. Its not an individual hockey stick, but rather a splinter from what was once the Worlds biggest hockey stick. Think about it, its Minnesota. Giant mall, giant Paul Bunyon statue, giant ball of twine, giant stick… its probably the most logical explanation. 2. Its a carefully planted relic by Zach Parise to further taunt the New Jersey Devils. The Minny native is just looking for new ways to endear himself to local fans and stick it to Lou Lamoriello. In the first draft of this news story the stick was actually engraved with “WonderBoy” but CBS brass found it just a bit too improbable for locals to swallow. 3. Its a reliic, but only from Brent Burns “Caveman” phase. . That stick probably just fell out of his beard last time the Sharks were passing through. Who knows what else was hiding in there. 4. Its a piece of hockey history, all right, but thats no stick. Its actually a weapon thats been left behind in a “Back to the Future”-esque plot in which an enraged Gopher Stater goes back in time to try to erase the existence of Norman Green, thereby never letting the North Stars leave Minnesota. Dear, local police ... youre welcome. 5. Its actually Petr Nedveds stick for the 2014 Olympics. He just likes to kick it old school. Please ship it back to Liberec for him before February. Hes been looking all over the place for that thing! ' ' '
