By John F. McKenna (McJack): The question being asked by many boxing observers two days after World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (29-0-1 NC, 12 KO’s) “Shocked the world!” by defeating former WBO champion Manny Pacquaio (54-4-2, 38 KO’s) is will his victory bring about a trilogy?

It is true that “Desert Storm” shocked the world by taking Manny’s title but it is also likely true that the horrible decision which brought him the WBO welterweight title, although shocking was not exactly what he had in mind. It is most interesting to note when recapping the fight and its aftermath that Bradley himself did not think he won the fight and told Top Rank CEO Bob Arum as much before the decision was rendered. Bradley of course has since changed his mind and now insists to all who will listen that he won the fight.

Manny Pacquiao did in fact win the fight despite what the scorecards indicated. And try though he might to convince others that he won the fight last Saturday night he will never be able to convince the one who matters most, himself. Freddie Roach was right on when he said after the fight that Pacquiao had returned to the form which made him the great fighter he is. For all those boxing fans and writers who are now gleefully reporting that “Pacman” will now never get the fight he wanted most, that being a match with the ever reluctant undefeated WBA light middleweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (43-0, 26 KO’s) here is a newsflash. That fight was never going to happen!

There are numerous conspiracy theories going around as to why Manny lost a fight in which he was so dominant. Let’s not play games by rewriting the history of the fight by claiming as some have done that Bradley threw more punches, thereby winning the match. There is another news flash for those boxing fans as well. Punches which simply whiz through the air without landing do not count on Compu Box or on judge’s scorecards.

There is no way anyone can spin it that Bradley won the fight against Pacquiao. Manny’s punches were also far more telling than the pity pat punches Bradley landed. And though Bradley now maintains he won the fight roll the tapes back and check his body language. He was the personification of a beaten fighter.

It is probable that with “Pretty Boy” Floyd out of the picture in Bob Arum’s mind the Pacquiao – Bradley saga will turn into a three fight trilogy. Bradley “won” the first fight. A motivated Pacquiao will likely win the return match leaving the door open for a 3rd fight.

On this writer’s scorecard I had it 118 – 110 for Pacquiao. I had all of the first nine rounds going to Manny. It is difficult to see how any of those rounds could have been awarded to Bradley. In my view the HBO commentators including Harold Ledderman had it right.

Most troubling in the scoring was that all three judges independent of one another wound up with score cards that were so close. Even the scorecard in favor of Pacquiao by a slender 115 – 113 margin, was bogus. As far as the judges who had it 115 -113 for Bradley, what else is there to be said?

It may be that Saturday nights travesty turned boxing fans off to the extent that they will never again pony up the money to watch a fight live or on (Pay Per View) PPV.