Manny Pacquiao regains Welterweight belt

Manny Pacquiao has regained his WBO Welterweight title (147-pound limit).

Standing across the ring in the squared theatre Saturday night, Pacquiao went to work early and often against Timothy Bradley Jr, the man who lifted the title in June 2012 in one of the most controversial decisions in boxing. Controversial, because everyone saw that Pacquiao won the fight, except two of the three judges.

It was more of the same Saturday night, with Pacquiao seizing control of the fight and pounded out a unanimous decision. The judges this time scored the fight 116-112, 116-112, 118-110, all in favour of Pacquiao.

The 35-year-old Pacquiao now awaits the winner of the Juan Manuel Marquez vs Mike Alvarado contest, according to Top Rank's chief Bob Arum.

Pacquiao threw 563 punches throughout the 12 round title fight, landing 198 at a 35 percent success rate, while Bradley threw more punches with less accuracy, 627 with 141 landed, for a success rate of 22 percent.

Bradley played down reports, later confirmed by Top Rank, that he suffered a calf injury  early in the fight.