When the subject of a controversial decision comes up in the
sport of Boxing, you will often hear opinions among fans and experts alike on
how a decision sheds light on the ills that plague the sport. Oftentimes when
events like this occur it is all too easy sometimes to point the finger of
blame in several different directions. Whether pointed in the direction of a
promoter, official judges, athletic commissions, or what have you it seems that
there is always someone or some entity to blame when the element of controversy
rears it’s head.
When such circumstances arise however, it is rare to see the
finger of blame pointed in the direction of a fighter. In the wake of the
controversial decision in the Welterweight championship fight between Manny
Pacquiao and undefeated Jr. Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley last year,
much of the anger was pointed in the direction of Bradley.
In the days following that fight I along with many other
members of media expressed opinion and analysis with regard to the decision
rendered in that contest. Despite the outrage caused by the decision, what was
overlooked was the courage that Timothy Bradley showed that night. Although
most observers, this one included felt that Bradley was bested by Manny
Pacquiao, Bradley fought the majority of the fight having suffered ligament
damage to both of his feet. The fact that Bradley was able to fight through
what had to be excruciating pain to make the final bell in that fight is a
testament to the warrior Timothy Bradley is. It is unfortunate that because of
the controversial scoring in that fight that Bradley received much of the
blame.
Even though damage is done to the sport as a whole when
controversial circumstances arise such as a controversial decision, what can
often be overlooked is the damage it can do to the fighters involved. Obviously
most will say that the fighter who benefits least when a controversial decision
is rendered would be the fighter that does not get the verdict of the judges.
In the case of the Pacquiao-Bradley fight however, it should be argued that the
fighter who was hurt the most was Timothy Bradley.
Although Bradley was the benefactor of the decision rendered
in that fight, the fact that some pointed the finger of blame in his direction
quite frankly did more damage to his career then a loss would have. To his
credit, Bradley handled the situation as well as anyone could in the position
he was in.
When Bradley returned to the ring earlier this year to make
the first defense of his WBO world Welterweight championship against contender
Ruslan Provodnikov, one of the questions that went through my mind prior to the
fight was whether or not the controversy Bradley had gone through would have
any effect in the way he would fight? Although most believed that it would have
been to Bradley’s benefit to box against the power punching Provodnikov,
Bradley elected to go toe to toe. Several back and forth exchanges highlighted
this bout however, the thing that sticks out most in my mind was when
Provodnikov staggered Bradley in round six. By all accounts, Bradley was badly
hurt and was out on his feet yet the champion was able to survive by gamely
fighting off the ropes. This exemplifies Timothy Bradley’s warrior mentality. Bradley
was able to adjust in the middle rounds and won those rounds by out boxing
Provodnikov and was able to win the fight by outworking Provodnikov down the
stretch in a bout that should be under serious consideration for Fight of the year
honors at the end of 2013.
It was not surprising to this observer when it was announced
that Bradley’s next title defense would come against future Hall of Famer Juan
Manuel Marquez. Marquez, who has been one of the sport’s pound for pound elite
fighters for many years last fought in December of last year in his fourth
fight with Manny Pacquiao.
As has been the custom throughout the series of fights
between the two legends, the fourth fight produced plenty of back and forth
action. A fight that saw both fighters suffering knockdowns, culminating in a thrilling one
punch knockout in the sixth round for Marquez. After suffering two extremely
close decision losses to Pacquiao in fights two, and three in the series; the
dramatic knockout victory for Marquez was a career defining moment.
An obvious question that should be asked as a fight
approaches is how much has been taken out of Juan Manuel Marquez, not just in
those four fights, but throughout his career? At this stage of his career after
being in many grueling battles, another appropriate question could be how much
does Juan Manuel Marquez have left to give as a fighter?
Although some have criticized this fight being made and the
fact that it is being televised on pay-per-view, the fight between Bradley and
Marquez makes sense. The obvious storyline of Bradley getting the decision
against Manny Pacquiao in a fight where most believe Pacquiao should have been
the victor against a fighter in Marquez, who is Manny Pacquiao’s greatest
rival, who scored a knockout of Pacquiao in devastating fashion is certainly
intriguing.
From a business standpoint, in the current landscape of
Boxing where two of the sport’s prominent promoters Top Rank and Golden Boy
Promotions along with two of Boxing’s top television networks HBO and Showtime are
competing to put on the best fights possible, this fight was logical and based
on both Bradley and Marquez’ recent fights, should have been made.
Stylistically, both Bradley and Marquez have great boxing
ability. It could be likely however, to see this fight at some point develop
into a war. Both fighters have shown their mettle and even though anything can
happen at any given time, one could be justified in thinking that this fight
could eventually become a toe to toe give and take battle. An argument could be
made that Marquez could have a slight advantage in this fight. Although Timothy
Bradley is a world-class boxer and is a good combination puncher who has hand
speed, some may say that Marquez has the edge due to his ability to counter
punch with precision accuracy. It will be interesting to see who makes the
first move in this fight. It is not out of the realm of possibility that we
might see a tactical fight early on where both fighters could be looking to
make the other initiate aggression and look to counter.
The fight between Bradley and Marquez could also conceivably
be an unofficial start of a round robin tournament of sorts. Ruslan Provodnikov
is scheduled to face top Jr. Welterweight contender Mike Alvarado on October 19th
meanwhile, Manny Pacquiao is scheduled to face Brandon Rios on November 23rd. What may result out of these three fights
could end up being very lucrative for all involved. For fighters like Rios, who
held interim/regular status in the WBA’s Lightweight ratings, Alvarado who
currently holds interim status in the WBO’s Jr. Welterweight ratings, and for
Provodnikov who some feel deserved the decision in his fight with Timothy
Bradley, this round robin scenario should it happen could be vindication for
them as three of Boxing’s rising stars.
For Timothy Bradley a win over Marquez, and subsequent
fights with any of those fighters offers a chance for validation after being
blamed for a controversy that he truly did not deserve. A win for Juan Manuel
Marquez, would seem to clear the way for a fifth fight with Manny Pacquiao
should Pacquiao be successful in November against Brandon Rios. In what has
been a stellar year for the sport of Boxing, 2014 looks to be in good position
to continue the momentum the sport has built in 2013.
As the Boxing world prepares for yet another “Mega Fight” it
is my hope as it was last month prior to the Floyd Mayweather-Saul Alvarez
fight that the sport will be spared from any controversy. Unfortunately, there
was an element of controversy that did cast a shadow over what was otherwise a
great night for the sport on September 14th in regard to one judge’s
scorecard at the end of Mayweather-Alvarez.
It is my hope that with the pledge of more scrutiny by the
Nevada State Athletic Commission of officials assigned to “high profile fights”
in the wake of Judge C.J. Ross’ controversial scorecard in the
Mayweather-Alvarez fight that if Bradley-Marquez does go to the scorecards, we
will get an adequately scored and just decision. The fans both those who will
be in attendance to see the fight in person at the Thomas & Mack Center in
Las Vegas and those who will pay to see this fight and card via pay-per-view
deserve it and most of all the fighters deserve it.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison
All Rights Reserved.
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