BIGGEST CONTROVERSY IN BOXING HISTORY MAKES PACQUIAO A REAL PEOPLE?S CHAMPION
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 12 Jun 2012
It was a decision that shocked the world, or even the boxing universe. The unexpected came as Manny Pacquiao lost to a notorious judgment during that forgettable Las Vegas bout. Timothy Bradley was even surprised of the announcement that he won by split decision.
But in a later interview, Bradley changed the tempo of his pronouncements. ?Well I've seen the tape. I won the fight, without a doubt. You could say I won the first round, give or take the second. Lost the third, lost the fourth, lost the fifth, maybe even lost the sixth, you know, give or take. But from seven, eight, nine, 10, 11 and 12, I clearly dominated those rounds, man. I dominated those rounds. I know that I won those rounds.?
Promoter Bob Arum wanted the judges to be investigated. "Manny Pacquiao clearly won the fight by, like, 10 rounds to two or 11 rounds to one. It wasn't even a close fight. The decision is inexplicable. It's not really for me to comment about the decision, it's up to the Nevada State Athletic Commission," proclaimed Arum.
But Pacquiao, a good sportsman that he is, just gamely said, ?That?s why we love this boxing. But I respect the decision, but 100% I believe that I won the fight.?
He even gave reverence to his adversary and the judges. ?We have to respect my opponent also, the decision. It?s part of the game. We accept that. I want to thank everybody for showing the support and I hope you?re not dismayed what the result was. I?m still here. I can fight.?
And his faith in the Almighty remained as staunch as ever. ?I give thanks to God for everything.?
There were big upsets in boxing history. But these turnarounds paled in comparison to the greatest controversial championship boxing bout in world history which happened on June 9, 2012 at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.
On February 15, 1978, Leon Spinks defeated 36-year-old Muhammad Ali for the undisputed heavyweight championship in Las Vegas in what was regarded as one of the bigger disappointments in boxing. But in that match Spinks was the clear winner over the aging Ali. In a rematch with Ali, Spinks lost via 15-round unanimous decision at New Orleans at the Louisiana Superdome on September 15, 1978.
In a historic boxing match that occurred at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan on February 11, 1990, in which then undefeated, undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson lost via knockout to the 42?1 underdog Buster Douglas. But it was a tenth round knockout victory by the lesser known Douglas over the then invincible Tyson. There was no rematch though as Douglas was later beaten by Evander Holyfield.
On April 16, 2011 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, undefeated Juan Manuel Lopez lost the WBO featherweight title to Orlando Salido via technical knockout, as the referee stopped the fight in the 8th round for Lopez? first career loss. On March 10, 2012, he lost again to Salido in a rematch by 10th round technical knockout in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Both fights however were clearly won by Salido, who had eleven previous losses in his career.
The Pacquiao-Bradley upset was extraordinary. The champion led in the unofficial Compubox analysis of punches thrown and landed. Almost all boxing experts and analysts picked up Pacman as the real winner. Unlike during the three bouts with Juan Manuel Marquez where the boxing media were divided, this time it was almost unanimous among the authorities.
Truly Manny Pacquiao is still the People?s Champion. He is the real sportsman and the still the true pound-for-pound king among us.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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