I came here to Las Vegas as one of Japanese TV
commentators that will broadcast the world heavyweight title bout between
Lennox Lewis and David Tua tomorrow. On the eve of the showdown titled
"Royal Rampage" there was a card at Mandalay Bay's House of Blues
featuring the IBF flyweight title fight.
It was a contest of a Colombian champ and a South African challenger, both
of whom were unbeaten prior to the encounter. Pacheco 24-0, 19 KOs and
Makepula 18-0, 12 KOs. I happened to witness this bout, and left the arena
with very complex feelings.
Masibulele Makepula, South Africa, was obviously robbed of his victory over
the defending champ Irene Pacheco, Colombia, over 12 monotonous rounds.
When the ring announcer read the score cards, saying 114-114, 118-110 and
117-111, I believed that Makepula would be called the winner and new
champion despite my disagreement on the drawn score by one judge.
But they rendered a terrible verdict to Pacheco. On what scoring standard
could you make Pacheco the winner on such a wide margin? If a wide margin
was earned, it should have been to Makepula. This was more terrible than the
notorious scores in the last Olympic Games.
Reviewing the fight, Makepula, with a better balance, constantly kept
stalking the switch-hitting champ and scored more accurate left hooks
followed by left-right combinations more frequently than the lefty Colombian
threw punches, and apparently remained aggressive all the way. The South
African often staggered the shaky champ with well-timed combinations with
more effective shots with precision in later rounds.
After almost every round Pacheco returned to his corner, raising his hands
as if he had won that session. Don't be confused by his gesture. It was a
cunning FICTION. He never won this round and that round.
Although it was a game between the Colombian and the South African, had
Makepula been an American and had he suffered such a outrageous defeat on
points, a riot would have happened at this Mandalay Bay.
I, just a Japanese reporter that have nothing to do with Pacheco nor
Makepula, have always respected the justice and fairness executed in the
current boxing mecca of Nevada, but I, to tell you the truth, got stunned at
the illogical verdict. The decision should be investigated and reviewed by
Nevada State Athletic Commission, and I believe that Makepula should deserve
a rematch, if the verdict cannot be reversed. Good night.
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