The World Boxing Organization has decided it will review Timothy Bradley’s shock split-decision victory over Manny Pacquiao at the weekend. The decision caused outrage among observers who thought the legendary Filipino won the bout without question. Pacquio even said in an interview, “we know in our hearts.”

Bradley seized Pacquaio’s WBO welterweight world title while most reporters seated ringside, and the vast majority of fans inside the MGM Grand arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night, thought Pacquiao had easily defended his welterweight title against Bradley.

The fight’s promoter, Bob Arum, wants “clarity” in the judging of the fight, and it seems he will now get it:

The public saw the fight and they’re outraged, and we need clarity here. 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? We need to get clarity. The public is demanding it.

WBO president Francisco Valcarcel said in a statement that the body’s championship committee would review the fight “to take measures in accordance with the rules of procedure.”

Valcarcel continued that the committee would meet soon to evaluate video footage of the fight, along with the help of five “recognised international judges.”

Based on “what emerges”, the committee will then make a recommendation to the WBO:

I want to clarify that in no way this says that we are doubting the capacity of these judges, which we consider as honest and competent judges.

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

[Source: AFP via Times Of India]