Dethroned boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao's furious mother led demands in the Philippines yesterday for a rematch with Timothy Bradley, although church leaders said the fighter should retire.

Dionisia Pacquiao has for years publicly urged her son to quit the ring but, following the 33-year-old's controversial defeat by American Bradley in Las Vegas on Sunday, she wants swift revenge.

"I wanted him to retire before, but now I want to see this rematch happen," the ex-champ's emotional mother, 63, said from her home town in the southern Philippines.

"I want to let all Manny's fans know there will be a rematch, and he will get back his belt."

Pacquiao is a social phenomenon in the Philippines, where his status as one of the greatest boxers ever has propelled him to huge riches, a movie career and election to parliament.

He has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions, but suffered his first defeat since 2005 and slipped to 54-4-2 when Bradley took his WBO welterweight belt in a split decision.

Even the fight's Las Vegas promoter Bob Arum questioned the scoring, describing the result as "nuts". Many Filipinos insisted their hero had been robbed.

Dionisia Pacquiao said she felt her son won on points, and called Bradley a "dirty fighter" for clinging onto her son in exchanges.

Both boxers have already indicated their interest in a rematch, setting the stage for a lucrative bout potentially in November.