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WBO's Pacquiao-Bradley investigation drawing to a close


WBO president Francisco Valcarcel told RingTV.com's Lem Satterfield that the organization's investigation into the split-decision victory of Timothy Bradley over Manny Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight title was drawing to a close. Valcarcel and the WBO's Championship Committee assembled a panel of "five recognized international judges" to score video of the match and then make a recommendation, based on those scores. "We are taking the scorecards of our five international judges and comparing them to those of the judges of the fight. We're trying to find the most controversial rounds and see where they agree and disagree," Valacarcel said on Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time). "We will identify the rounds where the judges did not agree. I want to be sure which rounds were the close, controversial rounds, according to everybody. We're probably talking about two or three rounds. And then, we will decide whether the rounds should have been scored this way or the other way, and then we will recommend what to do. We hope to have a decision maybe tomorrow [Thursday, PHL time]." However, even if the WBO finds the decision of the three judges during the bout to be erroneous, the organization cannot overturn the decision, nor can it strip Bradley of the title. "The only thing we can do is authorize a rematch," Valcarcel explained. "We cannot go any further than that. That is in our rules." But Pacquiao's contract already contains a rematch clause against Bradley, a fact the undefeated American trumpeted even prior to them stepping into the ring. The two boxers' promoter, Bob Arum, is now unsure whether or not it will be profitable to have the duo fight again, and is considering other options for the Filipino ring idol, such as a fourth bout with Juan Manuel Marquez. In addition to the WBO, the Nevada State Athletic Commission also plans on going through the fight footage again with the three judges who were ringside. Two US senators have also called for the formation of a national boxing commission, amidst cries for an investigation by Top Rank and Arum. Bradley won via a controversial 115-113, 115-113, 113-115 split decision that left many feeling like Pacquiao was robbed. CompuBox scores showed Pacquiao as having landed more blows and as the more accurate puncher. - AMD, GMA News

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