Pacquiao vs. Bradley: Controversy Triggers Proposal of U.S. Boxing Commission

The raging controversy stemming from the reported flawed scoring by the judges in the recent fight between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley has triggered the creation of a national body to regulate boxing in the U.S.

In a controversial split decision, Pacquiao, who was a 5-1 favorite before the fight, lost to Bradley in what appeared to be a flawed scoring by the judges. The fight was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on June 9.

U.S. Senators John McCain (Arizona) and Harry Reid (Nevada) are in the forefront of a proposal to create the United States Boxing Commission (USBC).

The proposed boxing bill was actually filed in U.S. congress in 2007 and reintroduced in 2009 under the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

One of the salient features of the bill is the creation of a boxing body known as the USBC, which will be tasked to regulate the sport of boxing in the country.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Harry Reid, who is a former amateur boxer, said he favors an investigation of the controversial fight held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 9.

According to AFP, McCain, speaking on the Senate floor, said the outcome of the June 9 welterweight world title bout between Bradley and Pacquiao, “is the latest example of the legitimate distrust boxing fans have for the integrity of the sport.”

"Professional boxing is the only sport in the United States not regulated by a strong, centralized association," McCain continued.

On the controversial Pacquiao-Bradley fight, McCain said, “Clearly, the conspiracy theories and speculation surrounding the fight are given life because there are so many questions surrounding the integrity of the sport and how it is managed in multiple jurisdictions,”

Under the proposed boxing bill, boxing judges and referees in professional fights lasting 10 rounds and higher must secure a license from the USBC

Senators McCain and Reid both have amateur boxing experience in their early lives before embarking on their political careers.