Pacquiao vs. Bradley Rematch: WBO Should Not Have Power to Force Another Fight

The WBO's review of Manny Pacquiao's loss to Timothy Bradley yielded the anticipated results. All five judges ruled in favor of Pacquiao, but that doesn't mean the initial decision will be reversed.

Having said that, according to Dan Rafael of ESPN, the WBO has a backup plan.

WBO president Francisco Valcarcel had this to say about the organization's decision:

"

We can't change the result but we did this review for two reasons. If they want to make a rematch, we will approve the rematch and if they don't, we will order one. Also, we wanted to show (the Nevada State Athletic Commission) that they could bring in other officials from outside of Nevada who can also do a fine job judging fights. It's good to have different officials.

"

Take a look at line two of Mr. Valcarcel's quote—he states that the WBO will force a rematch if one isn't previously agreed upon.

This idea is ludicrous. I can't believe I am reading it. Can you?

When the New York Giants won the 2011 Super Bowl, did Roger Goodell decide to give the Patriots another chance?

If he had, would there have been a public outcry?

I'd bet there would have.

However, I'd also bet there won't be any unrest concerning the WBO's reaction in this situation.

Don't get me wrong—Pacquiao deserved to win the first fight. He handled Bradley, and the WBO welterweight title was taken from him without any justification.

That still doesn't give the WBO any right to "order" a rematch.

In sports, losses can be tough, but that's part of the game. You lose, you deal with it. That's just how it goes.

The fact that boxing is judged does change things a bit. Other sports are more cut and dry, they don't rely on individual judgment on such a large scale.

However, forcing a rematch damages boxing's credibility even further. This sets a precedent that the judging almost doesn't matter. If a judge makes the wrong decision, the WBO will change it.

If that's the case, what's the point of having judges? If this happens, there isn't one.

A rematch would mean nothing. People have already formed their opinions, and everyone knows who won the first fight. Forcing these two to square off again will not change a thing.

Watching Pacquaio and Bradley enter the ring for a forced rematch would feel like theater. It would feel staged, and the outcome would be obvious. I'll say it now—Pacquiao wins this fight. Someone will be sure of it, and if judging can be skewed once, the same can happen again.

Sure, the first fight's decision was a sham, but why make a bigger mockery out of a bad situation?

The WBO shouldn't have the authority to play matchmaker. Sports, in every which way, should be unscripted.

Forcing episode two between these two welterweights goes against everything sports are about.