WBO panel says Pacquiao won by unanimous decision

Judges convened by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) unanimously scored in favor of Filipino ring icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao after reviewing his controversial split decision loss to American Timothy Bradley, which took place in Las Vegas June 9.

RingTV reported that the five judges, commissioned by WBO President Francisco "Paco" Valcarcel, unanimously scored the bout in Pacquiao’s favor, 117-111, 117-111, 118-110, 116-112 and 115-113.

In what was one of the most shocking decisions in boxing this year, Bradley was named the victor in their WBO welterweight clash last June 9, with judges Duane Ford and CJ Ross scoring the bout 115-113 in his favor. Only Jerry Roth scored the bout for Pacquiao, 115-113.

The result was derided by boxing media – most of whom saw Pacquiao winning by a wide margin – and fight fans, who suspected that there was a conspiracy which led to Bradley's victory.

Because of the controversial result, the WBO decided to take action, with Valcarcel saying that they will "take measures in accordance with the rules of procedure."

Despite the panel’s review, the WBO cannot reverse the decision of the judges on fight night.

"The only thing that we can do is authorize a rematch," Valcarcel told RingTV.

Pacquiao and Bradley’s fight contract contains a rematch clause, scheduled for November 10, but Top Rank officials – including chief executive Bob Arum and president Todd DuBoef – have said that they will most likely not push through with it.

Instead, Pacquiao may fight Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez for a fourth time this November.

Arum lauded the WBO's findings as a "Solomon-like conclusion."

"Paco is a good man, he really is. I have great respect for him and what he says. It's appropriate for him to make that final conclusion," the promoter told RingTV.

Arum said he will have to talk to Pacquiao about what he wants to do for his next bout.

"My first stop on any quest to determine what to do next is that I have to talk to the guy who is the money generator, and that's Manny Pacquiao," he said. "And I have to determine after discussions with him what he wants to do next, and we'll go from there."

Pacquiao is currently in the Philippines, where he is attending to his constituents in Sarangani after the province experienced severe floodings due to Typhoon "Butchoy."

Bradley is confident that he defeated Pacquiao, telling his supporters in Palm Springs, California that he won the fight eight rounds to four.

Pacquiao, for his part, has repeatedly asked his fans to accept his loss, as well as to not blame Bradley for the judges' decision.

The bout is also under investigation by the Attorney General of Nevada after a request filed by Arum. The Nevada State Athletic Commission, led by director Keith Kizer, will also review the video along with the three judges.

CHINA BEHIND PACQUIAO DEFEAT

It would be the first loss since 2005 for the ‘People’s Champ’ after losing via split decision to the ‘Desert Storm’, who is now the new WBO World Welterweight champion. Judges CJ Ross and Duane Ford scored it in favor of Bradley while Judge Jerry Roth scored it in favor of Pacquiao. Many believed that Pacquiao won the match.

What would seem like a failure or a flaw of the judging system implemented in boxing matches actually goes deeper, if a confidential report coming from Malacañang is to be believed.

According to our source, the confidential document contains findings by the intelligence community that concludes China as the one who was actually  behind the loss of the country’s prize-fighter. China apparently paid off the judges so that Pacquiao would surely lose the fight when it comes time to judge it. They were confident that the match would go to the scorecards because the gloves that the boxers used were specifically made in a factory in Tianjin, China. Said gloves had special materials that would soften the impact of the punches and minimize the chances of a knockout.  The original plan  was to payoff all the judges so that Pacquiao would lose unanimously, but being stingy that they were, China decided to just go with two judges hence the split decision.

The bribery was all part of the country’s grand scheme to destabilize the Philippines and to demoralize Filipinos, in an operation dubbed “打倒菲律宾人的骄傲 or “Bring Down Pinoy Pride” when translated to English.

This is China’s retaliation against the Philippines due to the ongoing dispute on Scarborough shoal which started a few months back. Authorities believed that China has targeted our weak spot when it decided to attack our pride. “Wala naman kasi tayong military installations or key strategic buildings na puwedeng atakin to speak of (We don’t even have military installations or key strategic building that they can attack to speak of),” said one high-ranking official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Many Filipinos were shocked and upset with the outcome of the boxing match. Even Pacquiao’s mother, Mommy Dionesia, fainted upon hearing the news of her son’s loss. But what is alarming is the fact that China state television network China Central Television (CCTV) featured the fainting incident in a humor inspired segment, similar to that of Marc Logan’s; as propaganda for its people to mock the Philippines.

Recent events that have transpired would lend credence to the findings by Malacañang and would indeed seem like China was behind the following events to demoralize Filipinos:

• Jessica Sanchez losing to Philip Phillips in American Idol
• China suspending importation of Philippine bananas
• Shanghai Sharks cancels goodwill games against Philippine basketball squad
• Controversial BAYO ad that angered netizens

Dr. Ignacio Sanchez, head of Human Behavioral studies at the Universal College of the Philippines; who recently did a study on criminals, believed that China also perpetuated the outcome of the impeachment trial of then Chief Justice Corona.

“After masterminding the shocking result of Season 11 of American Idol, China then gave hope to the Filipinos when it orchestrated a 20-3 guilty vote for the impeachment of the Chief Justice,” explains Sanchez. “But it then quickly pulled-out the rug underneath us all by cancelling the basketball game,  launching the ‘racist’ ad to  dishearten the Philippines and the shocking results of the boxing match.”

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The doctor likens this tactic to a man who humiliates another man by pulling down the latter’s pants in front of the public after rescuing him from the brink of death (i.e. speeding truck, psycho mugger, asthma attack). “It’s catching you off-guard when you least expect it, or when you think that you’re on top of the world,” said Dr. Sanchez. “It’s very disheartening indeed. A perfect one-two-three counter-punch combination”

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The confidential report also narrates in detail the final coup de grace of Operation 打倒菲律宾人的骄傲. It describes a strategic pull out of all things Chinese from the Philippines that would ensure total destabilization of the country.

The ‘final push’ would anger, dishearten, bankrupt and depress adults and children alike that would send a chilling effect to the entire archipelago. And when the entire nation is down, that is when China would claim victory and proceed to occupy Scarborough Shoal. “If Filipinos are getting depressed by non-favorable contest results, what more would they feel if something big indeed happen,” said a Chinese diplomat who wishes to be unnamed.

The government is already coming up with contingency plans to provide substitutes for the above mentioned services, in case China indeed pushes through with the final stage of their plan.

Controversial split decision victory over Manny Pacquiao

WBO President Francisco ''Paco'' Valcarcel said in a statement Wednesday that the WBO's championship committee will review video of the fight with five ''recognized international judges'' and make a recommendation. He said the WBO does not doubt the ability of the scoring judges.

Most reporters seated ringside and the vast majority of fans inside the MGM Grand arena on Saturday night thought Pacquiao had easily defended his welterweight title against Bradley.

The first surprise came when ring announcer Michael Buffer announced that there was a split decision, and the biggest surprise came in the reading of the scores. Jerry Roth had it 115-113 for Pacquiao, while judges Duane Ford and C.J. Ross had it for Bradley by the same score.

The Associated Press scored the fight 117-111 for Pacquiao.

''The public saw the fight and they're outraged, and we need clarity here,'' Arum told The Associated Press on Wednesday. ''We need those responsible to investigate, to see what happened, how the judges could be so off.

''Was there any funny business going on? Or no funny business? Did they have a conversation with each other?'' Arum asked. ''We need to get clarity. The public is demanding it.''

Arum's powerful promotional company, Top Rank, has staged thousands of fights over more than four decades, including some of the most significant in the history of the sport.

He said that the scoring of Saturday night's fight was among the worst he's ever seen.

''It puts boxing in a very horrible light,'' he said. ''I'm looking for the sport to do damage control, and the only way it does damage control is if you do a full and complete investigation.''

Arum submitted a formal request to the Nevada Attorney General's office on Monday asking for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the fight. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the senior senator from  
Nevada, also has asked for an investigation.

Jennifer Lopez, a spokeswoman for the Nevada Attorney General's office, said in an email to the AP that Arum's complaint is currently under review.

''We are treating the complaint like any other complaint our office receives,'' Lopez said. ''We do not confirm or deny if we have an ongoing criminal investigation.''

The Nevada State Athletic Commission's executive director, Keith Kizer, said this week that he has no plans to review the fight, even though he acknowledged having Pacquiao ahead.

Commission chairman Skip Avansino told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he was content with the scoring, while Ford defended his scorecard in an interview with the newspaper.

''I thought Bradley gave Pacquiao a boxing lesson,'' Ford said. ''I thought a lot of the rounds were close. Pacquiao missed a lot of punches and I thought he was throwing wildly.''

Arum believes the decision - along with the Nevada commission's reluctance to conduct its own investigation - could provide the impetus for a federal commission to provide oversight for the sport, which has long battled the perception that it is rife with corruption.

''If the commission here in Nevada will be in intransigent, and won't cooperate, we have to have a federal commission,'' Arum said. ''We have to examine who these are on the commission, how they got there, how they operate. Something is broke.''

Stats compiled by Compubox showed Pacquiao landing 253 punches to 159 for Bradley, and having a 190-108 edge in power punches. Pacquiao landed at 38.5 percent to 27.7 percent for Bradley.

The decision ended Pacquiao's 15-fight winning streak, but also sets up a potential rematch later this year.

There has been talk that it could happen in November.

Perhaps by then, Arum will have the clarity he is seeking from their first fight.
''Any other sport - football, baseball - the commissioner's office would investigate,'' he said. ''I'm not saying hang anybody, but let's get clarity here. Let's get a complete report as to what happened. They could say,

'Hey, all three judges had a bad night.' That's possible, too. I'm not leaping to conclusions. I want to know as well as anybody else.''

House bill that would institutionalize the Palarong Pambansa

House Bill 6119 aims to create a policy and coordinating body for the conduct of the 37-year-old Palaro, which shall be headed by the Department of Education (DepEd).

Saying it has lost its prestige and popularity among Filipinos over the years, the House of Representatives recently approved a bill that would institutionalize the Palarong Pambansa as the premier national sporting event of the country.

The Palaro Board members are the DepEd secretary, four DepEd undersecretaries, three DepEd assistant secretaries, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and the secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Among others, the board will be tasked to provide incentives/rewards to participating schools and local government units; formulate and issue policies and guidelines on the accreditation of athletes, coaches and chaperones; approve bids to host the Palarong Pambansa; and identify the sports events to be included.
The measure also requires the organization of the Regional Athletic Associations, which shall supervise the conduct of the regional meets.

To ensure the event’s success, the PSC shall make available its manpower and technical resources, as well as facilities, said Camarines Norte Representative Renato Unico Jr., chair of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development.

In coordination with the DepEd, the PSC shall formulate and implement a training program for outstanding athletes of the Palarong Pambansa to ensure the continuity of their athletic development and education.
The Senate may adopt the House version of the bill for early transmittal and signature by President Benigno Aquino III.

China issues warnings on Philippines

'No other option but the use of arms'

The dispute began when Philippine authorities detected Chinese ships fishing there. They attempted to arrest the crew, but were blocked by Chinese surveillance vessels that were quickly deployed to the area.

The Philippines insists its claims to the area are backed by international law, as the shoal is well within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

The shoal sits about 230 kilometres (140 miles) from the Philippines' main island of Luzon. The nearest major Chinese landmass is 1,200 kilometres northwest of the shoal, according to Filipino navy maps.

But China claims virtually all of the South China Sea as its territory, even waters close to the coasts of the Philippines and other Asian countries.

Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia also claim parts of the sea, which is believed to sit atop vast oil and gas resources. The rival claims have for decades made the waters one of Asia's potential military flashpoints.
The Philippines, which admits to having an extremely weak military, has repeatedly said it wants to solve the stand-off over the shoal through diplomatic means.

But it has also said it secured a pledge from the United States, its main military ally, to protect the Philippines from attacks in the South China Sea.

A coalition of Filipino activist groups is planning to hold rallies at Chinese embassies around the world on Friday to support the Philippines in the dispute.

Organisers are hoping thousands of people will attend what they expect to be the biggest of the rallies, in Manila, and the Chinese embassy's safety alert was circulated chiefly to warn its nationals about that protest.
But Jackson Gan, a Filipino-Chinese businessman who is one the rally's organisers, said there was no need for such a warning because the protest would not target individuals and there had been no inciting of violence.

"This is going to be peaceful. No burning of Chinese flags, just singing of patriotic songs and making our presence felt," Gan told AFP.

Philippine foreign department spokesman Raul Hernandez also said Chinese nationals were in no danger of being attacked because of the diplomatic tensions.

"The Philippines remains a safe and welcoming country," he told AFP, adding Friday's protesters would not target Chinese people.

"There is nothing for our Chinese friends to be apprehensive about regarding this protest action."
China told its citizens Thursday they were not safe in the Philippines and its state media warned of war, as a month-long row over rival claims in the South China Sea threatened to spill out of control.

Chinese travel agencies announced they had suspended tours to the Philippines, under government orders, and the embassy in Manila advised its nationals already in the country to stay indoors ahead of planned protests.

"Avoid going out at all if possible, and if not, to avoid going out alone. If you come across any demonstrations, leave the area, do not stay to watch," the embassy's advisory said.

The safety alerts came as government-controlled media in China warned the country was prepared to go to war to end the stand-off over Scarborough Shoal -- small islands in the South China Sea that both nations claim as their own.

"No matter how willing we are to discuss the issue, the current Philippine leadership is intent on pressing us into a corner where there is no other option left but the use of arms," the China Daily said in an editorial.
"Manila is living in a fantasy world if it mistakes our forbearance for timidity."

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China was committed to a peaceful resolution.
But the editorial echoed other warnings in recent weeks in the state-run media that China was prepared to use its massive military advantage to crush the Philippines' challenge for the shoal.

The two nations have had non-military vessels stationed at the shoal since April 8 in an effort to assert their sovereignty to the area.

Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton won over Segura

Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton showed why she is one of the most dominating female fighters in the world today. Not only did she plead to fight a Power Punching Mexican Fighter in Segura who came in 4lbs over the contract limit during weigh ins at 130lbs (Contract weight was 126lbs) which is a higher weight class for Julaton who normally fights at 122lbs, but she dominated Segura by using angles, footwork and her Signature Jab. Segura who was visibly the bigger fighter could not establish her power punching rhythm during the fight as Julaton put on a pure display of boxing excellence in the ring tonight. "Ana boxed beautifully tonight, this is the style that suits her best and I was so very proud of her performance tonight!! She pitched a "NO HITTER" and I am confident Ana will win her fourth World Title this year" said Allan Tremblay of Orion Sports management who has guided Julaton's career.

"I am happy to have the full support of Orion Sports Management and I am very happy that Allan continues to trust me with these opportunities" Julaton said about her Promoter. Julaton who is now 11Wins 3Losses 1 Draw was cheered on by the hometown crowd of Yucatan as this was her second fight in their homeland and she is showing why she is a fan favorite World Wide. Some locals yelled "Ms Pac Man Please Knock her out" and other cheers were directed towards the Female fighting pride of the Philippines. Many yucatan people have been calling Julaton "Huracan de Yucatan" as she had been given a Jersey by the Yucatan Leones Baseball team President with the an inscription in the back "Huracan de Yucatan" the night before the fight as Ana threw the first pitch of the game.

Canal Trece's Juan Carlos Guitierez interviewed Ana in the fight in which Julaton thanked all the support from the people all over the world and thanked the GMA Network and Yucatan Boxing. The question was asked what is next for her and Julaton's response was "I would like to fight Jackie Nava next and since she doesn't like to leave her hometown to fight I have no problem fighting Nava right her in Mexico!"

Allan Tremblay who was interviewed by the GMA Network who was in Mexico covering the fight said "I would like Ana to fight Jackie Nava in her home province of Pangasinan as I believe it would be one of the great events this year. I have been attempting to contact Governor Amado Espino Jr. through his staff and I hope to hear a response from him soon before I make my decision for Ana's next fight. There are many locations interested in that fight but I would for us to give Ana's next World Title fight to the good people of the Philippines. It's time for her to have a Homecoming Event."

Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. hosted Ana Julaton's Homecoming Celebration in 2010 after Julaton won the WBO 122lbs Championship defeating current WBC Silver Belt Champion Mexico's Maria elena Villalobos. A fight in the Philippines would be a mega attraction with Julaton challenging for her 4th World Championship. Rumor's are that Jackie Nava will be fighting on July 14th in Texas on the undercard of Juan Manuel Marquez. A Julaton vs Nava fight would be one of the biggest events in Mexico and the Philippines but could be a great addition to that fight card in Texas.

Orion Sports Management will announce Julaton's next fight venue within the next few weeks. Philippines, Mexico, Argentina or Texas where ever it may be the Hurricane is back into her "Pugilist Specialist" ways.

MAYWEATHER - 151 LBS vs COTTO - 154 LBS

When the smoke cleared, the main-eventers easily made weight but one of the boxers involved in the supporting main event came in a tad over the limit.

Miguel Cotto (37-2-0,30 KO) of Caguas, Puerto Rico made the super welterweight limit of 154 pounds without any problem at all.

Floyd Mayweather (42-0-0,26 KO) of Grand Rapids, Michigan surprisingly came in 3 pounds under the contract limit. He was a sizzling 151 pounder.
 
Moments ago inside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, the weigh-in took place for this weekend’s ‘Ring Kings’ pay-per-view blockbuster.

In the evening’s main event, Miguel Cotto defends his WBA junior middleweight crown against Floyd Mayweather Jr. Cotto came in exactly at the limit of 154 pounds while Mayweather, who is moving up for this fight, came in at 151 pounds.

In the evening’s co-feature, Saul Alvarez came in at 154 pounds in advance of his WBC junior middleweight title defense against Shane Mosley, who was a half a pound over at 154.5 pounds. Mosley would later come back to make the weight and the bout is a go for tomorrow night.

It maybe noted that this is the heaviest that Mayweather ever was in any weigh-in he has had in his past fights.

Mayweather and Cotto are fighting for the WBA vacant Super welterweight title and a minor belt, the WBC Diamond Super welterweight title.

In the supporting main event, a fight that is for the WBC Super welterweight crown, world champion Canelo Alvarez (39-0-1, 29KO) of Guadalajara, Mexico hit the scales at exactly 154 lbs.

His challenger, former world champion Sugar Shane Mosley (46-7-1, 39 KO) of Pomona, California however was half a pound over the contract limit of 154 lbs.

Mosley was given two hours to shed the excess baggage and without doubt, he will make it the second time around as half a pound is really nothing to lose for professional boxers like him.

Will the weight be an issue tomorrow? Let us just wait and see.

In the other supporting bouts, Las Vegas rising star, Jessie Vargas (18-0-0, 9KO) came in at 146 lbs while his opponent veteran Steve Forbes, (35-10-0, 11KO) also from Las Vegas was a 146.5 lbs.

Carlos Quintana (28-3-0, 22KO) of Moca, Puerto Rico hit the scales at 154 lbas and his opponent DeAndre Latrimore (23-3-0, 17 KO) of Las Vegas was 154.5 lbs.

Most of the talk in the media room centered around Mosley. The veteran according to a reliable source is being paid $650,000 for the fight, indeed a neat sum that will go towards his retirement. Champion Alvarez is on the other hand getting a whooping $1.2 million.