Fixing Fights–arranging fights seems to go hand in hand with boxing and ever apparent since the infancy of boxing.
The fight of Pacquiao vs Bradley was very forward about the fact that Bradley would (did) win; very oblivous to any other factors apart from a knockout (–I’d hope…who am I kidding?)
Ever since the shocking conclusion of the fight there has been evident disinformation.
The ‘love’ of money being the obvious root of ‘evil’ but understanding the reasons is the interesting story.
Let’s look at this fight by looking at who is involved:
Promoter, Top Rank co-Founder: Bob Arum
- Is not without controversy(–almost safe to say he is the controversy)
- Manages both fighters
- Had the FBI raid his office (suspect for fixing match[es])
- Offered (and made a) payoff to the International Boxing Federation for a sanction
- Believe(ed/s) there is a vendetta against him by a member of the Nevada Athletic Commission
Fighter, Timothy Bradley Jr.:
- Virtually Unknown
- Recently Signed with Top Rank (Bob Arum) in September 2011
- Fight was only second with Top Rank
- Deadend of his boxing career prior to fight.
- Had legal issues
- Defended use of testosterone pellets
Fighter, Emmanuel Pacquiao
- Est. Net Worth $70 Million
- Contract with Top Rank (Bob Arum) ends 2013
- Stated that he would retire (adding that the Timothy Bradley Fight may be his last.)
- Sold many of his business ventures.
Now with just the tidbits mentioned you can imagine a multitude of reasons why the fight decision went the way it did given the factors…
If not some speculations of (‘fictional’) scenarios:
1) Afraid of Pacquiao departing in 2013 Pacquiao is advised that if he decides to leave he may have a two loss blemish on his record–therein ending propects of a Floyd Mayweather fight as a free agent.
To assure this case, an unknown fighter who is struggling and needs a payday is signed. He is assured that he’ll be in the clear so long as he lasts all twelve rounds. A ‘favor’ with the Nevada Athletic Commission is called for the misunderstanding years back–assuring one judge verdict. Another judge verdict with an offer.
2) Due to selling business ventures, Pacquiao short on cash asks for an advance of two million.
Advance is given under condition that the judges will rule aganist him but in return will profit greatly with the rematch.
3) To stop prospects for a Mayweather fight. An inhouse Mayweather is ‘created’
4) Judges were not paying attention to the fight.
5) Mayweather anxious to put a stop to the urgency of a Pacquiao fight sets up Pacquiao for a loss.
However how bizzare it is that a poster was made:
and such assurance vetted by Bob Arum:
Tim Bradley is so confident that it’s scary.
You don’t say…
I mean, he is absolutely 100 percent convinced that he’s winning the fight.”
Well, I’ll be…Then:
…what?
Post Fight Press Conference you’re in a wheel chair–if you hadn’t had the feet problem you had been more mobile? …Mobile–you serious–more than you were? Any more mobile and you would have been with the fans.
“I’m real slippery. I’m in front of you and you [still] can’t hit me, said Bradley.”
It’s because you’re holding on to the opponent–clinching and well, that’s why they can’t hit you…
“When I set foot in the ring, I’m home. As soon as this guy hits me with his best punch and I eat that motherfucker, the fight’s over.”
What a self fufilling prophecy. He had great defence. He ate every best punch Pacquiao had with his face–er, mouth.
