A formal request has been submitted to the Nevada State Attorney General’s office for a full and complete enquiry into the result of Manny Pacquiao’s recent loss to challenger Timothy Bradley.
A split decision on points saw Pacquiao lose his WBO Welterweight title to Bradley, and has left fans around the world outraged. The fight took place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday night, and saw critics and fans all believe champion Pacquiao had clearly won the bout. However, the decision from the judges came back with two judges scoring the fight 115-113 in favor of Bradley, and another judge scoring the fight by the same score but in the favor of Pacquiao.
The fight was overseen by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but the body has decided not to call an internal enquiry. Therefore, promoter Bob Arum has now decided to plead to a higher authority in government to instigate an investigation into a fight many are calling a heist.
Arum has said, “The public has a right to know. The fighters have a right to know. The only way to restore fans’ confidence in boxing is by letting an independent body investigate every detail of the fight, no matter how big or small. Sunshine never hurt anyone.”
The Nevada State Athletic Commission chairman has confirmed that it would be standing by the verdicts “of three seasoned professionals,” much to the anger of boxing fans.
Meanwhile, one of the fight’s judges, Duane Ford, has broke his silence to explain his verdict, insisting that Bradley had given Pacquiao “a boxing lesson.” However, his words are likely to inflame the anger of boxing fans even more, who are already referring to the three judges in the fight as the “Three Blind Mice.”
Pacquiao landed nearly 100 punches more than Bradley during the bout, and landed more in 10 out of the 12 rounds. Bradley was true to his pre-fight promise and made every effort to be aggressive and take the fight to the champion, and he did in fact throw more punches than Pacquiao. However, when it comes down to judging the bout, punches landed must be given more weight, especially when one fighter landed so many more than the other.
Some may immediately think maybe Pacquiao’s landed punches were not strong enough. However, again Pacquiao clearly landed many more power punches than his opponent, and a number of times throughout the fight Pacquiao’s hits had Bradley staggering on his feet.
Bradley did prove his critics wrong, and those questioning his chin prior to the fight will have to eat their own words now, as he proved to have a durable chin. However, Pacquiao in a great majority of people’s minds was clearly in front throughout the fight, and it will be seen as a great injustice that the judges awarded Bradley the win.
Following his win Bradley explained to reporters, “I thought I won. I didn’t think he was as good as everyone says he was. I didn’t feel his power.”
However, promoter Bob Arum, who has contracts with both fighters, said, “Can you believe that? Unbelievable. I went over to Bradley before the decision and he said, ‘I tried hard but I couldn’t beat the guy.”
Most rounds saw Bradley coming out strong and trying to impose himself on the champ only to fall away in the second half of the round. Pacquiao was controlled, making sure Bradley didn’t land any telling hits as he came out all guns blazing early in the round, but expertly turned his defense into attack and finished most rounds well on top of Bradley, lading some often heavy hits.
Pacquiao was clearly in shock and lost for words at the verdict. He said: “I did my best [but] I guess my best wasn’t good enough. He never hurt me with his punches, most of them landed on my arms.”
Arum said in the aftermath, “I’m going to make a lot of money on the rematch, but this [decision] was outrageous.”