Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley: Rematch Must Happen to Restore Integrity

In an ongoing debacle that is the new epicenter of professional boxing, promoter Bob Arum is stating Manny Pacquiao may not be given his contractual right to avenge the mysterious loss to Timothy Bradley. Not because Pac-Man doesn't want the opportunity, but because Arum doesn't believe he can sell the fight to the public.

If boxing has any integrity remaining, they must allow Pacquiao, not finances, to make the decision.

Boxing has worked itself into a corner by allowing promoters to run the sport. They control who fights whom next, not a central governing body. The term "professional organized boxing" no longer holds relevance, and Arum could be the final nail in the sport's coffin.

In a Chicago Tribune article, Arum offered, "The (ticket) brokers are telling us if we make a Bradley rematch, no one will go."

Relative to a rematch, Arum told Pacquiao in the post-fight press conference that if he wants a rematch, "that's what we'll do."

However, Arum's Top Rank promotions seems to be taking a different stand. President Todd duBoef wants to see the fans' reaction on a potential rematch before agreeing on Bradley vs. Pacquiao 2. He will be looking for newspaper and website poll results on the issue.

Bleacher Report got this ball rolling well before duBoef's comments appeared in the Chicago Tribune. Readers were asked if they would financially support another fight, and the early response has been an overwhelming "no." 

This rematch is not about money, though. It is about integrity and fairness. If Pacquiao wants to take his belt back, his own promoter should be pushing the issue, not waving red flags.

The WBO and HBO Boxing have profited from boxing's disarray. Arum and other promoters have certainly benefited financially from the chaos they've created. Fans want to see Pacquiao have the opportunity to avenge what was taken—they just don't feel they should have to pay for it again.

The aforementioned entities need to respond with covering the costs. Fans with ticket stubs should receive a free replacement for a one-fight main event. Fans who purchased the pay-per-view feed shouldn't be charged again.

The Nevada Athletic Commission (NSAC) is also complicit in the problem and needs to fund some of the remedy. They appointed judges to the fight with questionable credentials, and the practice of announcing who will be judging the fights ahead of time adds to the potential for corruption.

Future title fights in Nevada should also have some involvement from out-of-state officials. 

Arum, the WBO, HBO and the NSAC may scoff at the expense of funding a mega-rematch, but without it, the sport will simply lose too much integrity.

The overall financial cost of boxing fans turning to mixed martial arts or other sporting events will be much, much higher.