WBO back Pacquiao over Bradley loss

Manny Pacquiao has moved closer to a rematch against Timothy Bradley after the World Boxing Organisation declared their belief that the Filipino should have won their June 9 bout.

Bradley wrested the WBO welterweight title via a controversial split decision, with two judges scoring the fight 115-113 in his favour and a third by the same score for Pacquiao in a bout most believed the latter won easily.

The WBO commissioned a panel of five international judges to view the bout and published the results on its website, with all five scoring in favour of Pacquiao - including one result of 118-110 in his favour.

The WBO have already ordered a rematch, which was likely to happen anyway due to a rematch clause in Pacquiao's favour, but the sanctioning organisation does not have the power to overturn the original verdict.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission, who do have the power to declare the bout a no contest, have refused to open an investigation, which means Pacquiao is likely to be stuck with the defeat on his record.

However, the findings will add strength to his case. Pacquiao is scheduled to fight again on November 10, and that bout will almost certainly be against Bradley, with the WBO belt back on the line.