So
why do we continue to jump up and down every time something like that
happens in boxing and yet nothing is ever done about it? Because we just
accept it; that’s why.
When
Timothy Bradley was handed a split decision over Manny Pacquiao last
Saturday night, it was one of the lowest moments this writer has ever
witnessed in this sport. Even worse, we’ll all likely buy the
pay-per-view rematch, myself included!
But
if we could all band together just once and make HBO and Top Rank lose
money on a PPV card, you’d see how quick this crap would stop.
Boxing
has been enjoying a resurgence as of late with lots of young fighters
capturing the public’s attention but when new fans see a decision like
that, especially in a fight they paid good money for, well, it ain’t
good, folks.
Even worse is the returning fan laying out his hard-earned cash to watch a fiasco like that!
See ya later, alligator.
And
that’s not to say Bradley didn’t land anything despite the ridiculous
commentary by the HBO crew, who tend to ignore the landed punches of
their marquee fighters’ opponents. It’s a little ludicrous to listen to
trainer/HBO commentator Emanuel Steward talking about the fact that
Bradley’s punches don’t have a lot of power while he, Jim Lampley, and
Max Kellerman ignore the fact that some of them are actually landing.
The problem was not the power of Bradley’s punches; it was that is he didn’t land enough of them.
I mean, c’mon, guys; you’re better than that- or at least you should be.
For
this decision to stand- which it will- is going to damage boxing more
than anything that has happened in the sport’s recent history. How Duane
Ford and C.J. Ross could see that fight 115–113 in favor of Bradley is
literally beyond comprehension.
In
truth, even though Jerry Roth had it 115-113 in favor of Pacquiao does
not mean he doesn’t need glasses. It just means he needs them less than
Ford and Ross do.
HBO’s “unofficial judge” Harold Lederman was dead on the money with a score of 119–109 in favor of the “Pac-Man.”
At the end of the day, everybody got paid out of our hard-earned money and they’ll get paid again for the rematch.
There are many fans all over the web who actually believe the fight was fixed.
Was it? Who knows? Could it ever be proven? Not a chance.
Once again, our sport is ridiculed. Once again, our sport is mocked.
Perhaps the most insane part of this deal is that Duane Ford actually gets paid to teach new judges the proper way to score a fight.
Are you kidding?
Having Duane Ford teaching new judges how to score a fight is like having Bob Arum teaching Abe Lincoln how to be honest.
Go home, Duane. You’re over. And do the boxing world a favor: take Ross with you.
Manny
Pacquiao should have had Bradley out of there within six or seven
rounds. His camp also better take note that Floyd Mayweather beats the
Pacquiao who fought Juan Manuel Marquez and Bradley all day long.
