LAS VEGAS ? My hands are clean.
Marco Antonio Barrera said Monday there?s nothing wrong with the way his hands are wrapped for a fight, and that they intend to keep it that way for Saturday?s battle against Manny Pacquiao.
?I?m gonna use the same stuff. There?ll be no difference,? he said through an interpreter.
Freddie Roach, Pacquiao?s chief trainer, has raised an issue, saying the Mexican has always had problems putting his hands inside the gloves because of excessive bandages.
Roach said Barrera?s handlers once had to cut the gloves so the hands would fit in, and urged ring officials to take a closer look at the Mexican this time.
But Pacquiao seemed less worried, saying Barrera can use as much bandage as he wants as long as there?s ?no cutting? of the gloves.
According to philboxing.com, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has clarified the rules on the wrapping of hands. A report said Roach knew that Barrera?s handlers were putting plaster of Paris on the wraps, and they become harder, more like a cast, when it becomes wet.
This gives a boxer undue advantage because of the toughness around the fists.
Keith Kizer of the NSAC said bandages on a hand ?may not exceed one winding of surgeon?s adhesive tape, not over one and a half inches wide, placed directly on the hand to protect the part of the hand near the wrist.
?The tape may cross the back of the hand twice, but may not extend within three-fourths of an inch of the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist. Up to one 15-yard roll of bandage may be used to complete the wrappings for each hand. Strips of tape may be used between the fingers to hold down the bandages.?
The rule also says that the wrapping must be done in the presence of a representative of the NSAC and from both boxers. However, this ?witnessing? privilege may be waived by any camp.
Not this time, perhaps.
