Manny Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight belt to Timothy Bradley on Saturday after a controversial split decision victory for the underdog at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao, who was the huge odds-on favourite with bookmakers to beat 'Desert Storm' in their pay-per-view clash, looked to have done more than enough to take the decision, despite slowing down in the final few rounds.
But the Filipino, like boxing fans around the world, was left stunned as two judges scored the bout 115-113 in favour of Bradley, with just one handing the win to Pacquiao by the same score.
Pacquiao, who was believed to be suffering with calf problems just before the fight, had made a slow start by his standards, but while Bradley was working hard, the champion had never really looked in serious doubt.
And by round five, the American was struggling with a foot injury.
But Bradley rallied and enjoyed a strong end to the fight, connecting with a number of solid punches in the 12th to finish on a high.
But when the judges verdicts were returned, the fans in Vegas were fuming with the decision.
The shock win win improves Bradley's record to 29-0 (12KOs), but the loss for Pacquiao (54-4, 38KO's) will lead to fresh doubts about the long-delayed clash with Floyd Mayweather Jr taking place.
