LAS VEGAS ? Trainer Joel Diaz’s emotions went from elation to anger after his fighter Timothy Bradley ended future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao’s remarkable seven-year unbeaten run Saturday night.
The victory for the WBO welterweight championship will be a life-changing event for Bradley and Diaz, and opens up a potential lucrative rematch in November.
However, the split decision was controversial, as statistics showed Pacquiao landed nearly double the punches Bradley did. And many members of the media scored the fight as an overwhelming victory for Pacquiao.
?Like I said earlier, people don’t give you credit for the work you put in,? an emotional Diaz said. ?I mean Timothy went 12 rounds with the most explosive fighter in the world.
?Come on, let’s give the kid some credit. The judges saw Tim winning for some reason. We don’t know the judges personally. Just give the kid some credit. We beat Manny Pacquiao here in his hometown, because Vegas is his house.?
Lost in Saturday night’s controversy was the courageous performance by Bradley against considerable obstacles.
According to manager Cameron Dunkin, Bradley fractured his left foot during the second round. Later in the fight, he sprained his right ankle.
At the post-fight news conference, Bradley arrived in a wheelchair before leaving for the hospital.
When Bradley departed Sunday afternoon from the MGM Grand, he remained in a wheelchair before boarding his personalized bus for the trip back to Cathedral City. Bradley said he would undergo an MRI today.
?I felt a pop on the top of my foot,? Bradley said. ?(Joel) said, ?What do you want to do? You’re in the fight of your life, do you want to quit?’ I said, ?No, we’ll have to go through it.’
?That’s why in the middle of the rounds I was flat footed,? he said. ?I stood in front of Manny and that’s when he came on. But I was able to suck it up and kept moving. I was able to land some shots.?
