The controversial split decision victory for Timothy Bradley over Manny Pacquiao will be reviewed by one of boxing’s major sanctioning bodies – the World Boxing Organization.The move is to be the first step toward what promoter Bob Arum hopes will be “clarity” in the judging of the fight. WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel said in a statement June 13 that the WBO’s championship committee will review video of the fight with five “recognized international judges” and make a recommendation. He said the WBO does not doubt the ability of the scoring judges.
The seemingly invincible Pacquiao lost to Bradley in an upset and controversial decision at the sold-out fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 9. The decision was so controversial that the three judges were called the three blind mice. (Although one of the judges gave the win to Pacquiao, the majority seem to be upset about the overall scoring.)
Promoter Bob Arum who also promotes Bradley condemned the decision calling it “the death of boxing”. Even Nanay Dionisia, Pacquiao’s mother, joined the fray and called for a rematch. Nanay said that she wanted Manny to retire before. But “now I want to see this rematch happen,” the emotional mother, aged 63, told media in the Philippines. “I want to let all of Manny’s fans to know that there will be rematch, and he will get back his belt.”
The outcry in Las Vegas was so loud Floyd Mayweather Jr. could have heard it in his jail cell. On the other side of the world, people cried in the streets in Manila, Philippines. Through it all, Pacquiao was a model of serenity.
On Monday, Arum submitted a formal request to the Nevada attorney general’s office for a complete inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the scoring. He requested to be interviewed as part of the inquiry to clear his name from wrongdoing or conspiracy theorists speculating he was behind the decision.
“I asked them to investigate my involvement as a promoter. I want them to take my testimony,” he said.
Tags: Bradley, by, Fight, Pacquiao, Review, Under, WBO
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