Timothy Bradley has a twisted ankle and a fractured foot to show for his victory over Manny Pacquiao.

He took over Manny Pacquiao's WBO welterweight title with a controversial split decision in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

The new champion was taken to hospital after the bout and his manager, Cameron Dunkin, said on Sunday he had a swollen, twisted right ankle and a fractured left foot.

Bradley, who arrived at the post-fight media conference in a wheelchair, said he had stepped on referee Robert Byrd's foot in the second round and "felt a pop".

"I went back to my corner and said I think I might have broken my foot," he said.

Trainer Joel Diaz said it was up to him: quit or carry on in the biggest fight of his life.

Bradley's decision to carry on paid off, although his courage was lost in the unexpected result. Two judges saw Bradley winning 115-113. The third gave it to Pacquiao by the same score.

The Californian, who improved his record to 29-0 with 12 knockouts, had vowed before the biggest fight of his life to "shock the world" and he did so, despite the injuries.

Promoter Bob Arum called it an "unbelievable" decision after Pacquiao, 33, appeared to have the fight well in hand.

Bradley weathered the Filipino’s attacks in the middle rounds and, from the seventh, made the adjustments that satisfied the judges, even though he never appeared to hurt Pacquiao.

"I started working with angles, sticking and moving," said Bradley.

"Most of his punches hit my arms," Pacquiao said.

The controversy set the stage for a lucrative rematch in November. "I've got to give him a chance to win his title back," Bradley said.