Philippines shocked by boxing Pacquiao's loss to US challenger
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Manila - Millions of Filipinos were stunned Sunday after Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao lost his world welter weighttitle to undefeated US challenger Timothy Bradley.
Boos erupted in restaurants, cinemas and public sports complexes where the fight was shown live as the winner was announced after the 12-round match in Las Vegas.
Bradley won by a split decision, improving his record to 29 wins, zero defeat and one no-contest. It was Pacquiao's first defeat in seven years since he lost to Mexican Erik Morales in 2005.
Pacquiao, an eight-division champion, rocked Bradley with a series of blows in the fourth round, a left to the head in the fifth round and a barrage of punches to the body in the sixth round.
But Bradley remained aggressive and took the final three rounds to turn the tide.
"Manny was obviously cheated in the score cards," said a computer technician who only identified himself as Alex. "This is such a disappointment, but Manny's still my hero." Alex watched the fight with a group of friends in a Manila restaurant packed with fans dismayed by the outcome.
Abigail Valte, deputy presidential spokeswoman, said the loss was a shock but did not diminish the Philippines' support for Pacquiao.//DPA
