The WBO announced Wednesday that it will review Timothy Bradley's controversial victory over Manny Pacquiao in Saturday's welterweight championship fight.
Bradley, the WBO's junior welterweight champ, moved up in weight and claimed a split decision to take Pacquiao's WBO welterweight belt at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. However, there was a storm of controversy after judges Duane Ford and C.J. Ross both scored the fight 115-113 in favor of Bradley while Jerry Roth had it 115-113 for Pacquiao.
The vast majority of observers had Pacquiao clearly winning the fight, many in lopsided fashion. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters, was outraged and has called on the Nevada attorney general to inquire about the scoring.
WBO president Francisco "Paco" Valcarcel, who was ringside for the fight, said his organization's championship committee will review the fight. He said that the committee "will meet soon" and "will examine (the fight) with five recognized international judges to evaluate the video of the match and agree to what emerges."
Valcarcel said the scoring judges' integrity played no part in his decision to review the fight.
"I want to clarify that in no way does this say we are doubting the capacity of these judges, which we consider as honest and competent judges," Valcarcel said.
The WBO could order a rematch, although that is unnecessary because Pacquiao has a rematch clause in his contract that entitles him to an immediate second fight.
Pacquiao said after the fight that he would like a rematch, and Bradley also has said he would honor the commitment. Arum had Nov. 10 set aside for Pacquiao's next fight, whether against Bradley again or somebody else, well before Saturday's fight.
Bradley, the WBO's junior welterweight champ, moved up in weight and claimed a split decision to take Pacquiao's WBO welterweight belt at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. However, there was a storm of controversy after judges Duane Ford and C.J. Ross both scored the fight 115-113 in favor of Bradley while Jerry Roth had it 115-113 for Pacquiao.
The vast majority of observers had Pacquiao clearly winning the fight, many in lopsided fashion. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters, was outraged and has called on the Nevada attorney general to inquire about the scoring.
WBO president Francisco "Paco" Valcarcel, who was ringside for the fight, said his organization's championship committee will review the fight. He said that the committee "will meet soon" and "will examine (the fight) with five recognized international judges to evaluate the video of the match and agree to what emerges."
Valcarcel said the scoring judges' integrity played no part in his decision to review the fight.
"I want to clarify that in no way does this say we are doubting the capacity of these judges, which we consider as honest and competent judges," Valcarcel said.
The WBO could order a rematch, although that is unnecessary because Pacquiao has a rematch clause in his contract that entitles him to an immediate second fight.
Pacquiao said after the fight that he would like a rematch, and Bradley also has said he would honor the commitment. Arum had Nov. 10 set aside for Pacquiao's next fight, whether against Bradley again or somebody else, well before Saturday's fight.
- Barry Bonds
