When Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley met for the first time in June of 2012, the sport of boxing and conspiracy theories became a topic discussed heavily by national media. If you remember right, it was a fight that many people believed Pacquiao easily won, but Bradley was awarded a split decision win thanks to judged Duane Ford and C.J. Ross who both scored the bout 115-113 in Bradley’s favor.
It may have taken a couple of years but the two are finally scheduled to have a rematch on April 12th. The two fighters are hoping the rematch clears up any controversy there may be from their first bout. However, it sounds like there may be another conspiracy theory in the works.
Just four days before fight night, on Tuesday April 8th, judge Johne Keane of Great Britain has pulled out of his spot on the judging panel. According to sources close to the situation, Keane became ill and unable to make the trip to Las Vegas for the big fight.
Keane is being replaced by Craig Metcalfe of Canada. Top Rank vice President Carl Moretti says both camps approved the judge change.
“Metcalfe is a good judge. We have no issue whatsoever,” Moretti said.
Both Pacquiao and Bradley may have approved the change, but did either of them really ha e a choice? They have been preparing hard for this rematch for months and now that their just a couple of days away from the big night, they are not going to let all their hard work be for nothing. Both Bradley and Pacquiao are fighters at heart and there’s no way either of them are going to turn down the pay day due to a judge.
Whether or not there is another conspiracy in the works is yet to be determined. But we do know that another controversy from a decision involving Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley would be extremely devastating to the sport of boxing. Pacman remains one of the two biggest names in the sport while Bradley is still undefeated and seen as one of the toughest young fighters in the sport today.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t ultimately matter who wins this fight if there is a controversy surrounding a decision. It would benefit both fighters and the sport of boxing for all three judges to be on the same page with the viewing audience. The last thing anyone wants to see is another controversial decision involving two of boxing’s biggest stars.
