In the sport
of Boxing there are several reasons why a rematch would be considered by the parties
involved in a fight. A reason such as a
highly competitive fight between two world-class fighters with a healthy
difference of opinion as to who won the fight would obviously fuel interest in
a rematch. There are also other reasons why a rematch might take place. Of course, one of the most obvious reasons
might be from a business standpoint.
From a
financial perspective sometimes no matter how competitive a fight may or may
not have been in the ring, a possible rematch may simply boil down to how
successful a fight might have been in terms of both live gate and pay-per-view
numbers. There is perhaps another factor, which may play as big a role as any
in determining if a rematch is warranted.
If a rematch is mandated, not necessarily by the sanctioning
organizations who govern the sport, but mandated by the ultimate authority the
Boxing fans.
Such a
circumstance presents itself as undefeated two-division world champion and
current WBO Welterweight world champion Timothy Bradley and former champion
Manny Pacquiao prepare for their highly anticipated rematch Saturday night at
the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Although it has been nearly two years since their highly controversial
first encounter, there is little dispute that the rematch between the two is
something that Boxing fans worldwide have demanded loud and clear.
By now the
story of what happened in the first fight between the two has become common
knowledge to most Boxing fans, both casual and enthusiast alike. Bradley, the always “Game” warrior who
endured excruciating pain as he suffered ligament damage to both of his feet
during the first fight with Pacquaio, but bravely fought on, despite the
pain. Bradley’s valiant performance
however, will forever be overshadowed by what happened at the end of the twelve
round championship bout.
Even though
there was no doubt as to Bradley’s courage in the fight, the consensus of many,
this observer included was that Bradley was bested on that night in June 2012
by Manny Pacquiao. Despite the consensus of the fight being a decisive victory
for Pacquiao, the decision rendered in the fight will be remembered by many as
one of the most controversial and bizarre decisions in the history of the sport.
The opinion
of many at the end of the fight was that Pacquiao had won the fight by margins
of at least nine rounds to three or ten rounds to two. Although some, myself
included saw this fight even wider in favor of Pacquiao in scoring the fight a
shutout, there were a few rounds during the course of the fight where Bradley
could have won some rounds. Rounds that are commonly referred to as “Swing
Rounds” where there may not be much action taking place, where it can boil down
to which fighter does a little more that might determine who wins a round.
Despite the
consensus of a clear win for Pacquiao, the three official judges saw this fight
differently turning in a split decision with two judges scoring the fight
115-113 in points or seven rounds to five in favor of Bradley. The decision was quickly met with great
passion and anger by both fans and experts alike. This observer said quite candidly both after
the fight and in the days that followed that the decision rendered in this
fight disgusted me.
Unfortunately,
when there is a controversial decision like what happened the first time
Bradley and Pacquiao met in the ring, anger can at times be pointed in the
wrong direction. Instead of pointing
anger squarely in the direction of the source of such a decision, some will
choose instead to direct their anger at the fighters involved. Such was the case with Timothy Bradley.
Regardless of
what one’s opinion might be as to who won the first fight between Bradley and
Pacquiao, how Bradley was treated by some in the aftermath of that fight was
unjust and one might say downright cruel. When it comes to fights that end
under circumstances as that fight did, it not only does damage to the integrity
of the sport as a whole, but also and perhaps more importantly can do damage to
the fighters involved, specifically the fighter who would appear to be the
benefactor of the controversy. Unfortunately, in this case that fighter was
Timothy Bradley.
An argument
should be made that the win for Bradley probably did more damage than a loss to
Pacquiao would have. Despite his accomplishments prior to the first encounter
with Pacquiao, those accomplishments were all, but forgotten by some. Bradley
responded by defending his title in a grueling give and take battle against
Ruslan Provodnikov in March of last year earning a hard fought unanimous
decision victory to retain his title.
In his last
fight, Bradley engaged in a tactical dual with future Hall of Famer Juan Manuel
Marquez. In an extremely close fight that this observer scored a draw, Bradley
was able to outwork Marquez and earned a split decision. Despite the two hard
fought victories for Bradley since the first fight with Pacquiao, there may be
some who might still question his standing in the sport as the rematch
approaches.
Although much
of the negativity about the decision of the first fight has been pointed in the
direction of Bradley, Manny Pacquiao has also gone through trials and
tribulations in the two years since the first fight took place. Following the loss to Bradley, Pacquiao chose
to face his arch-rival Juan Manuel Marquez in their fourth fight in December
2012.
As has been
the custom throughout the series of fights between Pacquiao and Marquez, the
fourth fight delivered plenty of back and forth action. Unlike the first three
fights however, the fourth encounter would not go the distance and debates as
to who won the fight would not be needed. In a fight where both fighters tasted
the canvas, Marquez brought the fight to a sudden end knocking Pacquiao out
cold in the closing seconds of round six.
Despite his
loss to Bradley earlier that year, many still considered Pacquaio if not the
number one fighter in the world, then most certainly 1-A on most pound for
pound lists. The definitive knockout at
the hands of Marquez however, would change Pacquiao’s standing in the sport’s
mythical pound for pound debates. After
suffering such a devastating knockout, it was also fair for some to question
whether or not Pacquiao could recover.
In Pacquiao’s last fight he showed no ill effects as he dominated former
WBA interim Lightweight champion Brandon Rios over twelve rounds in November of
last year.
This now sets
the stage for the rematch between Bradley and Pacquiao. A few questions that some might have as this
fight approaches are what effect has each fighter’s most recent fights had on
them? As well, due to the element of
controversy that emerged from the first fight will it result in a much more
action packed fight with both fighters not looking to leave it in the hands of
the judges?
In my eyes
this fight could go several different ways. Both fighters have hand speed and
both can be solid defensively. In terms of the type of fight that will be
fought, I believe the fighter who can establish the pace early could be the one
to dictate how the fight will be fought.
The most intriguing storyline of this fight however, does not center
around the fighters and any potential tactical adjustments from the first
fight.
The main
storyline of this fight in my mind centers around the three judges who will be
charged with the responsibility of rendering a decision should the fight go the
distance. A valid point that the judges
being a focal point of this fight can be demonstrated not only in relation to
the first fight, but also the Floyd Mayweather-Saul Alvarez fight from
September of last year. The decisions in both fights received much criticism
thanks in part to judge C.J. Ross who served as one of three judges in both
fights.
A sign of the
times thanks in large part to the advent of social media has been that Boxing
fans have the ability to let their voices be heard. It is a given that much attention will be
focused on the three judges for the Bradley-Pacquiao rematch. Judges Michael Pernick, John Keane, and Glenn
Trowbridge arguably have one of the most important assignments in the recent
history of the sport.
What this
rematch basically amounts to is a rare scenario of two fighters who are each
looking for vindication. For Timothy
Bradley he is looking to validate his first victory as he seeks a second
victory over Manny Pacquiao one of Boxing’s biggest stars. The need for validation and recognition for
Bradley could be demonstrated in that although he is the champion coming into
this fight, he has not gotten top billing in the promotion of this fight. Pacquiao’s name being put before his could be
looked at as a champion being disregarded.
One could say however, that the reason Pacquiao has received top billing
in the build up to this fight, despite being the challenger going in and having
lost the first encounter could simply have to do with his star status in the
sport. Whether it be a marketing issue
or possibly a strategy to play off public opinion as to who won the first
fight, for a champion it has to be a source of frustration.
For Manny
Pacquiao he is seeking to avenge his loss to Bradley nearly two years ago. In
the bigger picture for Pacquiao, he also seeks to prove that the winless year
he had in 2012 was not a sign of decline and that he is still among the best
pound for pound fighters in the world.
Another question some might have with regard to Pacquiao is whether or
not he still has a knockout mentality having not scored a knockout win since
stopping Miguel Cotto in 2009.
For two
fighters, each with something to prove the rematch could end up being a
memorable night for Boxing fans. Not only is there a possibility of an
action-packed fight between two great fighters, but also for the sport, this
fight offers an opportunity to heal itself from a controversy that many
consider a black eye for Boxing and could bring redemption to both fighters win
or lose.
Will
Controversy emerge once again? For the
fighters sake, for the judges sake, but most importantly for Boxing fans
worldwide, I certainly hope not…
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
The Boxing
Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.
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Denison on Twitter:www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison
Good observation. Vindication is what this fight is all about. The only issue is that if Manny should when by a controversial factor, it will be a huge backlash.
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