By Gel Santos Relos
The controversial loss of our Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao to Timothy Bradley has ruffled the boxing world. Calls for independent investigation have been mounting since the Fil-Am organization Migrant Heritage Commission in Washington DC wrote an open letter to the Nevada State Athletic Commission requesting for a probe on the questionable results.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum submitted a formal request to the office of Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto for a "full and complete inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the scoring" of Saturday's fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Nevada Sen. Harry Reid likewise called for Nevada investigation into Pacquiao's boxing title loss to quell the uproar following the fight.
“From all the reports that I’ve seen by people on the outside who saw the fight, who attempted to be fair and judge the fight, Pacquiao won the fight.” said Reid, a former member of the Nevada Athletic Commission who used to judge boxing matches.
Senator John McCain of Arizona tweeted, "I completely agree with Senator Reid-- the decision was a disgrace to boxing."
Because of this controversy, both Reid and McCain has urged Congress to take up a boxing regulatory bill they’ve been pushing for the past decade.
The bill aims to establish a National Boxing Commission that would regulate the sport, and set licensing standards for boxers, judges and referees and registration standards for promoters and trainers.
As we reported on Balitang America, however, the executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Keith Kizer said the judges’ controversial decision in the match between boxer Timothy Bradley and former World Boxing Organization title holder Manny Pacquiao cannot be reversed.
“Even if the commission wanted to overturn the decision, they just don’t have the power to do so,” Kizer told Balitang America in a phone interview. “There’s just no basis for it in the law. There’s just no power to do so.”
Kizer, however admitted that after watching the fight, he personally thought the fight, he personally thought Pacquiao had the win. “It was a situation where Bradley was able to finish strong,” he said. “Was it enough to overcome Manny? I didn’t think so. But I could see someone thinking so.”
The Nevada State Athletic Commission’s statements echoed the World Boxing Organization (WBO) president’s words earlier today. Boxingscene.com reported that WBO president Francisco Valcarcel said that their organization is also accepting the judges’ decision as final.
“We want to get the impression of five international judges but we cannot reverse the decision,” said Valcarcel. As a courtesy, the WBO will send their review to the NSAC, but Valcarel pointed out that the Commission has no power to change the judges’ call.
Fil-Am leader Atty. Arnedo Valera of the Migrant Heritage Commission said their organization sent a formal letter to Bradley, requesting him to give up the belt.
In that letter, the group told Bradley, “You are a great boxer but you lost to a boxing icon, fair and square.”
However, the statements of Bradley on twitter seem to say he is keeping the belt.
“I finally had a chance to watch the fight last night and after watching it I felt just like I did the night of the fight.. I won the fight!”, tweeted Bradley.
“Paquiao is a great man and great fighter he will have a chance to get his title back I will be able to get a more definitive win.” Bradley added.
All these statements seem to lead to the planned November 10 rematch, if there will indeed be one.
Here are some comments from our readers:
They say "don’t worry, there will be a rematch".. I won’t watch any rematch as they only want our money in their pockets. They just want another match so they will earn more.! We want truth and honesty, that's the point! This is not just for Pinoys’ interest, but for the interest of saving the dignity of the Sports. We encourage our kids to be involved in sports and learn the value of sportsmanship and fairness among many things.. then they will see this kind of "fixing"? -- Villamor Bon
Boxing nowadays isn’t about sports anymore,,,its all about gambling.. We won the fight, but they have the judges...-- Jehoshaphat Zadok Jumamoy
I doubt the decision will be overturned. Think of the casinos that will be swamped with demands for refunds.The decision stays. Just to find out if judges erred and if they shud be sanctioned. -- Cesar delos Reyes
Sana mag decide na si Manny at huwag nang sabayan pa ang kalokohan ng mga taong nasa likod ng dayaan sa boksing. Pacquiao, sa narating mo ngayon-- napatunyan mo na sa buong mundo ang galing ng kamao mo. Para sa amin ikaw ang kampeon, at proud kami sa respetong ipinakita mo. Mabigyan sana ng leksyon ang lahat ng may kinalaman sa nangyari at sana maging daan na ito ng pagbabago ng kalakaran at dayaan sa larangan ng boksing..-- Ricky Martinez
Kailan ba magigising ang mga masusugid na tagasubaybay sa larangan nag boxing? Para sa akin wala itong kinaibahan sa isang pelikula-- di lahat nang bida nabubuhay sa huli, gagamitin ang taong bayan para kumita at ang mga tao naman magbabayad o bibigyan nang oras para ma entertain tama po ba? Kaya di na kailangan pa pag aksayahan nang panahon ang mga ganitong bagay. Ilaan nalang natin ang ating oras sa pag imbistiga sa makabuluhang bagay! -- Paulo de Leon
This is not about Politics and Filipino Pride, this is a business. Nothing will happen with the investigation, there will be a rematch and guess what, even though we say boycott, we will still watch it. This is what is was, a boxing train wreck, so lets just move on . Remember , what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. The only winner was Vegas , 4- 1 odds, I should have bet smart ! -- Bud Feria
Bakit hindi nyo nalang tanggapin na talo na si Pacquiao. Hindi ba siya pwede matalo? Kailangan bang lage nalang siyang panalo? Eh ayun yung desicion ng judges eh. Dapat kung gusto talaga manalo ni Pacquiao eh KO ang ginawa niya hindi yung pinaabot niya pa ng 12 round para sa desisyon. -- Rafael Marcelino
Get over it people. If they overturn Pacquiao-Bradley decision, they'll have to do the same for Pacquaio-Marquez fight. -- Jem DC
Jem DC, in Pac-Marquez, Pac at least outpunched Marquez. Bradley *clearly did not* outpunch Pac. -- Jego Ragragio
Di ito sour graping ng Pinoy. Kahit di si Pacquaio yung boxingero, at ganun yung naging laban at ganun yung desisyon, dapat pa ding ireklamo.-- Art Oca
This will be a good opportunity for Manny to retire...He's statement... that he lost his trust to "Nevada State Athletic Commission" Therefore he'll stop fighting and he's still the undefeated champion...This is so obvious the whole world knows Manny won the fight. -- Rogel Cayetano
Americans stole the belts but not the pride of the Pilipino people. -- Cesar Anyayahan Esteba
