Boxing: Pacquiao beats Bradley in world title rematch

Timothy Bradley of United States (left) defends against Manny Pacquiao of Philippines during their WBO World Welterweight Championship title match at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Timothy Bradley of United States (left) defends against Manny Pacquiao of Philippines during their WBO World Welterweight Championship title match at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Timothy Bradley of the United States (left) exchanges blows with Manny Pacquiao of Philippines during their WBO World Welterweight Championship title match at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Manny Pacquiao (right) and Timothy Bradley Jr during their WBO World Welterweight Championship fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Timothy Bradley (left) and Manny Pacquiao during their WBO World Welterweight Championship fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Timothy Bradley of the United States (left) goes on the offensive against Manny Pacquiao of Philippines during their WBO World Welterweight Championship title match at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines hits undefeated WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley of the United States with a right during their title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Timothy Bradley of the United States is on the receiving end against Manny Pacquiao of Philippines (right) during their WBO World Welterweight Championship title match at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP 
Manny Pacquiao celebrates his victory over Timothy Bradley (not pictured) after their WBO World Welterweight Title bout at MGM Grand Garden Arena. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Manny Pacquiao celebrates after his unanimous decision victory over Timothy Bradley during their WBO world welterweight championship boxing match at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Manny Pacquiao of Philippines (right) and trainer Freddie Roach (left) celebrate victory over Timothy Bradley of the US following their WBO World Welterweight Championship title match at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Manny Pacquiao lands a right hand on the head of Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Manny Pacquiao (right) of the Philippines hits undefeated World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Timothy Bradley of the United States with a right during their title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 12, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

LAS VEGAS (AFP) - Manny Pacquiao won a 12-round unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley on Saturday to avenge his controversial 2012 loss to the previously unbeaten American.

The Filipino ring icon improved to 56-5 with two drawn and 38 wins inside the distance as he regained the World Boxing Organization welterweight world title he lost to Bradley on June 9, 2012.

Although he could not get his first knockout win since 2009, Pacquiao lived up to his pre-fight promise to come out with more aggression, denying Bradley's avowed aim of sending him into retirement with another defeat.

Bradley, who said he fought from the first round with a right calf injury, fell to 31-1, with 12 knockouts.

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