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Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports reports that for the time being, a possible November 10 rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley is being put on the back burner, as promoter Bob Arum is looking to get an investigation going to make sure none of the judges who combined to score last night's fight a split decision win for Bradley were influenced by outside sources.
Arum says there won't be a rematch unless the Nevada attorney general launches an investigation. For the record, the Nevada attorney general is unlikely to launch an investigation.
"I want to investigate whether there was any undue influence, whether the (Nevada Athletic Commission) gave any particular instruction and how they came to this conclusion. But the whole sport is in an uproar. People are going crazy. ... [T]here needs to be an independent investigation because it strains credulity that an event everybody saw as so one-sided one way all three judges saw it as close. It strains credulity."
Arum states that he's looking to remove the theory of conspiracy or corruption from the discussion. If the investigation happens and turns up nothing, Arum will simply disagree with the judges, rather than basically refuse to accept their decision.
Most likely, Iole says, the rematch will still happen, and that would be my guess as well. Pacquiao wants it and will continue to want to avenge his defeat.
But here's the thing: If there's really just no money in a rematch, it very well might not happen, at least in November. There is concern that the fight might not be desired by the public, who may feel they've already seen a decisive winner, no matter what the judges said.
Bradley has said he wants to do better in a rematch and win more decisively. Pacquiao has said he wants the rematch in Vegas, once again under the Nevada commission, which is taking the heat in stride as usual, waiting for it to go away. Meanwhile, judge Duane Ford has publicly defended his scoring. C.J. Ross, who also scored it for Bradley, has not made any statements.
Manager Cameron Dunkin, who angrily disputed Arum's claim that Dunkin had scored it for Pacquiao, says they'll move on with another fight if the Pacquiao rematch doesn't happen.
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