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Duane Ford, one of two Nevada judges (along with C.J. Ross) who scored last night's Pacquiao vs Bradley fight a shocking 115-113 for Bradley, has defended his decision today when speaking with Vegas journalist Steve Carp, who tweeted some of Ford's quotes this afternoon. Here's what Ford said:
"You've got to put the ball in the basket and Manny didn't put the ball in the basket enough. ... This isn't American Idol. If I judge for the people, I shouldn't be a judge. I went in with a clear mind and judged each round. ... I don't look at the punch stats but I saw Manny miss a lot of punches and Bradley hit Manny and win a lot of the exchanges. ... I'm comfortable with my performance. I thought Bradley gave Pacquiao a boxing lesson."
This has nothing to do with "judging for the people" and everything to do with "judging correctly." That's the issue. It's not about being popular. If you want to bring American Idol into it -- and I don't, but he did -- this would be the equivalent of having given the trophy or whatever it is those dorks get at the end to someone who did OK on the audition show, but was also told, "No, I'm sorry, you're not going to Hollywood. Keep working hard though!"
Ball in the basket! American Idol! CompuBox BOO! ... STUFF!
I just don't get it. Again, I've watched the fight repeatedly. I know things can look different at ringside. But the reality is the vast majority of ringside media also had this fight for Pacquiao, most of them very comfortably. It is a massive stretch to say that Timothy Bradley won seven rounds of last night's fight, and I think an incredible leap to say that Pacquiao was "given a boxing lesson" by Timothy Bradley last night.
But hey, he's comfortable with his performance. And that's all that matters.
Wait, crap, no it isn't.
Pacquiao vs Bradley Results
Bradley SD-12 Pacquiao | Arce NC-2 Rojas
Bailey TKO-11 Jones | Rigondeaux TKO-5 Kennedy
Post-Fight Fallout
Arum 'Ashamed' of Boxing | Judges Scorecards (Photo)
Full Fight Video Highlights | Manny Wants Rematch in Vegas
Winners and Losers: Manny and Bob Win, Bradley and Marquez Lose