THE MANGLED FACE OF BOXING

The mangled and disfigured face of South African Gideon Buthelezi, who was recently crowned IBO World Junior Bantamweight Champion even after he was mauled and knocked down by Filipino Edrin Dapudong Nov. 10 in Johannesburg, South Africa, may as well be the image that reflects the rotten state of judging in boxing involving American boxing officials. Prior to the scandalous scores in the Dapudong-Buthelezi fight made by American judge Michael Pernick where he scored the round when the South African was knocked down 10-9 instead of 10-8, American boxing officiating also suffered a battered reputation following the Paul Williams-Erislandy Lara and Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley fights. Allegations of corruption in the ranks of American boxing officials swirled because of the series of questionable decisions in boxing. (Philboxing.com photo)