Dethroned boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao's furious mother led demands in the Philippines for a rematch with Timothy Bradley, although church leaders said the Catholic fighter should retire.

Dionisia Pacquiao has for years publicly urged her son to walk away from the ring but, following the 33-year-old's controversial loss to American Bradley in Las Vegas on Sunday, called for swift revenge.

"I wanted him to retire before, but now I want to see this rematch happen," the ex-champ's emotional mother, 63, told GMA television from her southern Philippine hometown.

"I want to let all of Manny's fans to know there will be a rematch, and he will get back his belt."

Pacquiao is a social phenomenon in the Philippines, where his status as one of the greatest boxers ever has propelled him to huge riches, a movie career and election to parliament.

He has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions, but suffered his first defeat since 2005 and slipped to 54-4-2 when Bradley took his World Boxing Organization welterweight belt in a split decision.

Even the fight's Las Vegas promoter Bob Arum questioned the scoring, describing the result as "nuts", and many in the Philippines insisted their hero was robbed.

Dionisia Pacquiao said she believed her son won on points, and called Bradley a "dirty fighter" for clinging on to him during exchanges.