On Saturday night, defending WBO Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquiao met challenger Timothy Bradley for a much-hyped title fight. The fight appeared to be heavily lopsided in Pacquiao’s favour and the verdict seemed to be all but sealed, until two of the judges revealed their scorecards and created one of the biggest controversies in boxing history.

Almost from the get-go, Bradley seemed to be on the back foot, and stayed there for much of the fight. Pacquiao out-punched him almost every single round, landing 253 punches throughout the fight to Bradley’s 159. He also unleashed 190 power punches, Bradley only responding with 108. Statistics aside, almost everyone watching the fight, besides for two of the officials judges, had the fight scored heavily in Pacquiao’s favour.

The Associated Press scored it 117-111 for Pacquiao. HBO’s unofficial judge, Harold Lederman, had it 119-109, Pacquiao. ESPN.com had it 119-109, Pacquiao.

Yet ringside judges Duane Ford and C.J. Ross both scored it 115-113 to Bradley, dissenting with Jerry Roth, who had it 115-113 to Pacquiao.

The controversial decision put an end to Pacquiao’s seven-year long undefeated streak and instantly drew widespread criticism. Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters, had a number of choice words.

I went over to Bradley before the decision and he said, ‘I tried hard but I couldn’t beat the guy.’

I’ve never been as ashamed of the sport of boxing as I am tonight.

Later he also commented on the likely November rematch,

I’ll make a lot of money off the rematch, but this was outrageous.

Interesting choice of words. Many boxing fans cried foul-play, claiming the rematch had already been scheduled before Saturday’s bout had even commenced, an opinion reinforced by a picture Bradley posted weeks before the fight.

Not surprisingly, hordes of fans took to the Twittersphere and created the “RIPBoxing” hashtag to voice their concerns.

Pacquiao took result in stride and made no excuses.

“I did my best,” [he] said. “I guess my best wasn’t good enough.”

“Whatever happens, don’t be discouraged about boxing. Next time.”

The new champion found no fault with the judges’ decisions and welcomed a rematch.

“I thought I won the fight,” Bradley said. “I didn’t think he was as good as everyone says he was. I didn’t feel his power.”

“I listened to my corner,” Bradley said. “I got to give him a rematch now.”

The outcome of the fight is undoubtedly one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, many fans marking it as the death of a once great sport.

[Source: CBS News, SI, ABS CBN, BleacherReport, Twitter]