Bob Arum has finally received a decision from Nevada’s attorney general, Catherine Cortez Masto, but he claims it is not the response he wanted. Masto has decided that the controversial judges did not break any laws, so a criminal case will not be pursued. I think this announcement will simply continue to anger boxing fans and boost their mistrust in the judging system.
No Criminal Case
Catherine Cortez Masto has decided that the judges’ controversial ruling at the June 9 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley did not violate any laws. Bob Arum had insisted on an investigation by Nevada’s attorney general because he claimed Pacquiao had been cheated. However, Masto has said that the issue did not present a “sufficient basis for this office to initiate a criminal investigation.”
The statement from Masto leaves Arum with limited options. The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has already completed its investigation, and five judges found that Pacquiao should have won the fight. However, the WBO could not take away the title from Timothy Bradley and return it to Manny Pacquiao. Now, Bob Arum’s statements about finding justice for Manny have reached their final step. Nevada’s attorney general will not pursue this case further.
The Fight Controversy Continues
I think one of the more disturbing aspects of the recent investigation by Nevada’s attorney general is the decision not to question the actual judges at the June 9 fight. They were never interviewed, and it is not clear why Masto excluded them from the investigation. This will continue to be criticized by fans. The three judges should have been at the center of the investigation instead of being completely ignored.
Nevada’s attorney general has not provided any closure to the controversial fight between Pacquiao and Bradley. It seems that Bob Arum has run out of the options he claimed would appease fans. Now, he may turn back to trying to stage a rematch. Despite his previous statements that indicated a rematch may not happen, the contract signed by Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley allows for one, and both fighters have shown an interest.
