‘Pacquiao was robbed’
BY NIDA BUENAFE

After a 15-fight winning streak since March 2005, Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao lost in a split decision and surrendered his World Boxing Organization welterweight to Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, yesterday.

Judge Jerry Roth scored the bout 115-113 for Pacquiao, while C.J. Ross and Duane Ford both saw it 115-113 for Bradley, a decision that left most Negrenses, who watched the fight live via satellite feed at their homes and in public venues, stunned and confused.

Crowds at gyms and hotels in Negros Occidental booed the decision, charging that Pacquiao was cheated.

For the comrades of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, he was the winner in the controversial boxing fight against American Timothy Bradley.

Pacquiao, a lieutenant colonel in the Philippine Army reserve force, lost his WBO welterweight title to Bradley, via a split decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Former AFP chief General Victor Ibrado yesterday said it was very clear that Pacquiao won the fight. It was during the stint of Ibrado as commanding general of the Philippine when Pacquiao was promoted to senior master sergeant, before his latest promotion to lieutenant colonel.

Once again, the crime clock in Negros Occidental and in Bacolod City stopped as Filipino ring icon and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao fought in the ring yesterday (Philippine time), this time against American boxer Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, Nevada U.S.A.

Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office Director Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan said there were no untoward incidents reported during the fight of Pacquiao yesterday in the towns and cities of the province.

Guisihan said criminals may have taken a break and watched the fight too. He said that although they anticipated crimes to drop during Pacquiao’s match, they did not let their guard down.