RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — Timothy Bradley has defended his WBO 140-pound title by battering Nate Campbell, opening a bloody cut that forced the fight to be stopped after three rounds.

Bradley (25-0, 12 KOs) rode the energy of his hometown crowd in a dynamic three-round performance, although television replays appeared to show an accidental head-butt opening the cut over Campbell's left eye early in the third.

Campbell, who barely survived the third round on his feet, vehemently argued his cut was caused by Bradley's head, which would have made the bout a no-contest.

The referee disagreed and awarded a TKO to Bradley, who made his first defense of the light welterweight belt he claimed from Kendall Holt in April.