TIMOTHY BRADLEY HAS retained his WBO welterweight title with a split-decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday.
The undefeated American, 30, was fighting a man 10 years his senior and just came through on top in Las Vegas.
Judges Robert Hoyle (115-113) and Patricia Morse Jarman (116-112) scored the fight in Bradley’s favour, while Glenn Feldman (115-113) had it Marquez’s way.
Mexican Marquez was upset as he left the ring afterwards, a decision which came after his six-round knockout of Manny Pacquiao in December last year.
After a tame start, the bout came to life late in the second round as it ended with a flurry of punches. Bradley took advantage as Marquez began to tire midway through the fight with the former the far more active.
Marquez struck a few blows in the ninth but neither boxer was connecting with many decisive ones until the 10th round.
Bradley landed a right hand and Marquez countered, with the Mexican’s glove hitting the canvas after he slipped. Marquez looked like he needed a knockout to win and as both grew increasingly tired, Bradley staggered his opponent with a left hook in the final round.
Bradley improved to 31-0 as Marquez’s record slipped to 55-7-1.
