And the new.....

The date: June 9, 2012 (June 10, Philippine Time)

The protagonists: Timothy Bradley and Manny Pacquiao

The event: 12 rounds of  WBO welterweight boxing championship

The Scenario: All 12 rounds consummated. The ring announcer announces the decision. Judge 1 for Pacman. Judge 2 for Bradley.

Another split for Manny? 

The Surprise: Judge 3 scored it for Bradley. The ring announcer then announced,"And the new WBO welterweight champion: Timothy Bradley."( Manny has been unbeaten in his last 15-fights)

The Aftermath: The whole nation is in shock! Majority of those in the MGM grand in Las Vegas are dumbfounded. Violent reactions abound.

In Detail:Judge Jerry Roth scored the bout 115-113 for Pacquiao, while C.J. Ross and Duane Ford both saw it 115-113 for Bradley.

Was it a rob-out? I beg to differ. Sorry. I root for Pacman but let's be objective. Let's see the fight in another perspective. It is not impossible for Bradley to win. He is a fighter of good caliber. Bradley is 28-0 coming into the fight with 11 wins inside the distance. 

A tenacious Bradley challenged Pacquiao tirelessly as he never backed down (as what other opponents of Pacman usually do). This may have been the factor of why the middle rounds swayed in favor of Bradley.

Expectations of the judges can be the culprit of this loss for Pacquiao. He has been somewhat settling for split and unanimous decisions for a while now. The knockouts of De La Hoya and Hatton now seem to be of distant past. And who would ever forget how Margarito and Erik Morales looked like after their fights with Pacquiao. "Bugbog Sarado". 

Pacquaio has too many commitments to be able stamp completely the fierce stature he had on those fights. Showbiz and politics may have marred his mental preparation for the  fight. 

Overconfidence may also have played a part. Having been established himself as the best pound for pound fighter in the world, it seems that Pacman have mellowed a bit in his previous fights. It is all up to the judges how they see it. Split or unanimous. "As long as I win" seems to be his motto lately. The judges expected more of Pacquaio being an 8-division champion. 

I am  sure Pacquaio will have a heck load of contemplating time thinking how to show the Filipinos and the boxing world his usual fight mood fierceness that brought fears to opponents and ultimately resulting into convincing wins.

There is more than just having a reputation. Expectations now abound. Pacman brought this upon to himself and it will require a lot of moving out of his comfort zone to fulfill expectations.