LOS ANGELES ? Dick Flaherty has inhibited himself, as judge, from the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight.
According to promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, Flaherty, a former cop now in his seventies, has given up his slot as one of three judges in the coming bout.
?He has decided to resign. And a new judge has been appointed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. He is Tom Miller from Ohio,? Arum said.
Trainer Freddie Roach the other day said he asked Arum to ask the commission to replace Flaherty, whom he said is a close family friend.
He got what he wanted.
?It?s not that I don?t like him but he?s a family friend of mine. He?s a close friend of my mother,? said Roach.
?I don?t want any controversy. Someone might say he?s a friend of someone. So, there might be some changes,? he added.
Arum did not say whether Flaherty?s decision to quit as judge had anything to do with a story questioning his competence in doing big fights.
Only Flaherty, according to Arum, goes.
Duane Ford and Jerry Roth will stay on as judges, and Kenny Bayless as referee.
?Everybody else stays the same but Flaherty thought it was best to resign and do another fight,? said Arum.
?And so Miller has been appointed. I don?t think he has ever done a Pacquiao fight (unlike Ford and Roth). I know Freddie is delighted with the referee Kenny Bayless,? said Arum.
Roach must be delighted, too, that Flaherty, a friend, is out.
