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Bob Arum wants investigation into Manny Pacquiao vs Timothy Bradley result, rematch in jeopardy - MMAmania.com

What a difference a day makes.

This past Sat., June 9, 2012, saw one of the most controversial decisions in boxing in years, as Timothy Bradley was awarded a split decision victory (115-113, 113-115, 115-113) over pound-for-pound great Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The location of the bout is key, seeing as the outcry over the result has produced a level of disgust towards the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) and its practices that borders on sadistic. Fans are outraged; some are demanding answers while others have simply sworn off the sport altogether.

For his part, Pacquiao disagreed with the judges but told fans to hang in there. Bradley, meanwhile, felt he did enough to win the fight but ultimately settled on the only real position he could -- the judges made their call and he has to live with it, just like everyone else.

But that's not really the case.

Indeed, an investigation could be launched at the behest of Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto. And Bob Arum, of all people, is leading the charge to make sure it happens. In fact, according to Yahoo! Sports, a rematch won't take place unless it does, even though Arum claimed he would "make a lot of money on it."



"I want to investigate whether there was any undue influence, whether the (Nevada Athletic Commission) gave any particular instruction and how they came to this conclusion. But the whole sport is in an uproar. People are going crazy. If this was a subjective view that each of [the judges] honestly held, OK. I would still disagree, but then we're off the hook in terms of there being no conspiracy. But there needs to be an independent investigation because it strains credulity that an event everybody saw as so one-sided one way all three judges saw it as close. It strains credulity."

Keith Kizer, the Executive Director of the NSAC, has gone on record with the LA Times in the aftermath of the fight and said he "doesn't anticipate any discipline or review of Ross or Ford."

C.J. Ross and Duane Ford are the two judges who scored the bout for Bradley. In the case of the latter, he's come out and explained his reasoning, saying he thought Bradley "gave Pacquiao a boxing lesson."

Assuming an investigation doesn't take place, as many believe it will not, does that mean a rematch isn't going to happen? That seems unlikely, as Pacquiao has already stated unequivocally that he wants it with Arum going along with that with the old line of giving Manny what Manny wants.

Pacquiao Vs. Bradley: Judge Duane Ford Defends Scorecards - 'This Isn't American Idol' - Bloody Elbow

The controversy surrounding the Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley decision has left people clamoring for an investigation, and for the judges to try and explain those ridiculous and seemingly indefensible scorecards. One of the two questionable judges, Duane Ford has apparently stepped up and addressed his scoring, unfortunately he fails badly in doing so.

Like the NSAC's Keith Kizer, this questionable judge also feels like he performed well:

"You've got to put the ball in the basket and Manny didn't put the ball in the basket enough. This isn't American Idol. If I judge for the people, I shouldn't be a judge. I went in with a clear mind and judged each round."

"I don't look at the punch stats but I saw Manny miss a lot of punches and Bradley hit Manny and win a lot of the exchanges. I'm comfortable with my performance. I thought Bradley gave Pacquiao a boxing lesson."

American Idol? Judging for the people? I think the guy completely missed the boat on this whole thing. Bad judging is bad judging. It has nothing to do with the popular opinion, and everything to do with making the proper call -- Something he failed to do for several of the rounds he scored, including giving Manny Pacquiao's best round to his opponent.



Scott Christ over at Bad Left Hook has more input on the topic:

Ball in the basket! American Idol! CompuBox BOO! ... STUFF!

I just don't get it. Again, I've watched the fight repeatedly. I know things can look different at ringside. But the reality is the vast majority of ringside media also had this fight for Pacquiao, most of them very comfortably. It is a massive stretch to say that Timothy Bradley won seven rounds of last night's fight, and I think an incredible leap to say that Pacquiao was "given a boxing lesson" by Timothy Bradley last night.

But hey, he's comfortable with his performance. And that's all that matters.

Wait, crap, no it isn't.