In the world of boxing, the outrageous and farcical are commonplace, so it is unusual for an event to truly shock the sport’s jaded observers. Yet Bob Arum and Team Pacquiao managed to do exactly that this morning, when they lodged a preemptive complaint and appeal with the Nevada State Athletic Commission over the outcome of Pacquiao’s pending fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, scheduled for December 8.
“We got screwed, royally screwed in that fight with Timothy Bradley,” said Arum, referring to Pacquiao’s controversial Split Decision loss to Bradley in June 2012. “Manny Pacquiao has made wheelbarrows full of cash for Las Vegas, but now he can’t get a fair shake there. As a former federal prosecutor, I know the value of starting a paper trail, and we’re starting this one early. We expect the Vegas judges will screw us again, and when they do, we’ll be ready for them.”
When asked whether Team Pacquiao might protest the selection of particular judges or referees, Pacquiao’s legal counsel Franklin Gacal, Jr. said “We see no point in attempting to block the likes of Duane Ford and C.J. Ross from ringside. Vegas hates us now. If Bayless, Byrd and Weisfeld rule against us, it’s because judges in Vegas don’t want Pacquiao to win.”
In a press release, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) rejected suggestions that their selection of officials was in any way biased, and also rejected Arum’s and Team Pacquiao’s application to lodge a complaint and appeal. The press release stated baldly: “It is impossible under current regulations to file a complaint or an appeal against a future event that has yet to transpire.”
Manny Pacquiao was not present at the proceedings, and continued in his usual reticence by refusing interviews, citing his need to focus on his training for the upcoming fight. However, his opponent, Juan Manuel Marquez, was available for comment.
Marquez said “Where does Pacquiao get off? Three times we’ve fought in Las Vegas, and three times I’ve been robbed. It’s me who has to worry about the judges, not him. Everyone knows if I’m going to win this one, I’ve got to knock him out! Who is he going to blame then?”
Marquez has his own concerns about Nevada’s judges, having filed a motion with NSAC in September that they appoint judges with no prior Nevada affiliation to officiate at Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV. That motion was also quashed.
Even so, Marquez ultimately expressed more confidence in the judging this time around than Pacquiao. “I do not think that [I will be robbed] again. I am sure that on this occasion, they are going to work with a little bit of fear, and they will give victory to whoever deserves it.”
