Bradley Will Press For Rematch; Khan is Still Shocked

Boxing found itself mired in controversy again on Sunday following fierce criticism of the decision to award Timothy Bradley a controversial split decision victory over hot favourite Manny Pacquiao at Las Vegas' MGM Grand.

The Filipino fighter appeared to have done more than enough to take the decision, despite slowing down in the later stages, but was left stunned by the decision which cost him as his WBO welterweight belt.

Two judges scored the bout 115-113 to the unbeaten Bradley and one handed the win to Pacquiao by the same score, the crowd reacting angrily and jeering when the verdict was returned.

Defeat must now place the long-delayed but much-debated super-fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. in serious doubt.

Bradley added: "Manny hurt me a few times with his left hand. He's a beast. But my corner told me if I won the last round, I'd win the fight. I've got to give Manny a rematch."

Criticism of the decision came thick and fast, with Pacquiao's training partner Amir Khan branding it "robbery", Lennox Lewis calling it disgraceful and fight promoter Bob Arum saying it was "nuts".

Khan, who has been rebuffed by Bradley in the past: "What a robbery. Bradley did not win this fight. The crowd is booing while he's being interviewed. What a joke we had Manny winning by 5 rounds. Bradley how about you take the fight with me in December after I clean up the 140lbs weight. If Bradley wants it I'm ready, he turned me down twice. After I beat (Danny) Garcia I will offer Bradley the fight for the third time."

Khan had previously been critical of the judging in his own defeat at the hands of Lamont Peterson in December.

And the Bolton fighter, who was commentating on the fight at ringside, claimed the decision was further evidence boxing had to "clean up" its act.

"I'm shocked more than anything," he said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Manny won that fight clearly, I'd give it him by at least eight rounds. But the judges had it differently.

"It just shows that boxing has to clean up. The same thing happened to me when I fought Peterson."

Arum sais: "This is nuts. People don't know what they're watching anymore. I'm going to make a lot of money [in a rematch] but who's going to take this sport seriously?"

The win improves Bradley's record to 29-0, with 12 knockouts, but there is sure to be considerable discussion about the manner of this result.