DAVAO CITY, July 9 — The Philippines’s Games and Amusements Board (GAB) is glad to know that the World Boxing Organization (WBO) has decided to act on their request to review the controversial WBO world welterweight championship fight between Manny Pacquiao and Jeff Horn held July 2 in Australia.
“It’s good that WBO has acted on our request for review,” said GAB Chairman Abraham Kahlil “Baham” Mitra.
WBO president Francisco Valcarcel said he has ordered for a review by appointing five anonymous competent judges from different countries to watch the bout without sound distraction.
“Then, we will tabulate the results to ascertain clearly which rounds each fighter won using an average scale based on 60, 80 and 100 percent. This means that three of the five officials have to agree to determine which fighter won the round,” said Valcarcel.
“The purpose of this review is to be able to give the fans certainty of who was the winner of the bout, even though we do not have the power to reverse the decision of the Judges based on discretion and, in this case, we do have a rematch clause on the fight contract,” said Valcarcel.
Pacman lost his WBO world welterweight title to Horn by a unanimous decision from the three judges — Waleska Roldan (117-111), Chris Flores (1150-113) and Ramon Cerdan (115-113).
“I assure you that the Officials who participated in this fight are all professional, distinguished, honest and honorable human beings,” said Varcarcel.
Valcarcel, however, said that “WBO does not have jurisdiction in the first instance to revoke any decision, as that would correspond to the Australian National Boxing Federation.”
“I would be very grateful if the Philippines Games and Amusements Board (GAB) can provide any evidence indicating fraud or violation of law. Please forward it immediately to the Australian National Boxing Federation and to the WBO so that we may proceed accordingly,” said Varcarcel.
GAB wrote WBO “to echo the stand of many boxing followers on the possible errors of the referee (Mark Nelson) and the judges, who officiated the subject fight.”
GAB requested a “thorough review by the WBO for possible miscalls of the referee where some deductions were not made and of the judges in their judging that have caused varying opinions on their objectivity.”
“We feel that our “Pambansang Kamao” (Pacquiao) was manhandled in Brisbane and not treated well by the referee by not calling it closer or asking the fighters to equally play it fair,” Mitra said.
“The referee allowed Horn to push, pull down, clinch, headlock, headbutt, and shove our champ,” Mitra stressed.
“We are glad they are responsive as there are many Filipinos fighting under their organization and the board might be forced to sway them to look for other groups to fight under,” Mitra said.
“We can do that as it is our mandate to look after the welfare of our boxers,” added Mitra. (Lolito Delos Reyes/PNA)
