Timothy Bradley retained his WBO world welterweight title with a split decision victory over Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas.



The battle of the last two men to beat Manny Pacquiao came down to the judges' scorecards, and two of them gave it to the American 116-112 and 115-113, while the third gave it to the veteran Mexican 115-113.
It was a third narrow decision in a row for Bradley, who stretches his unbeaten record to 31 fights after thwarting Marquez in his bid to claim a fifth world

After a fast start in the opening round, the fight developed into a tactical battle, with Bradley looking the sharper, the younger fighter and using his speed to get in and out without absorbing too much damage.
The 40-year-old Marquez was always in the contest, but was almost floored in the 12th and final round when a left hook sent him stumbling backwards, but he remained on his feet to hear the final bell.
"That win was my ticket to the boxing Hall of Fame," Bradley said. "I beat a great champion. He couldn't touch me. I gave him a boxing lesson.