Bradley, who improved to 29-0 with the victory, seized Pacquaio's WBO welterweight world title. -Photo by AFP

LOS ANGELES: The World Boxing Organization will review Timothy Bradley's shock split-decision victory over Manny Pacquiao, which sparked outrage among observers who thought the Filipino fight king won the bout.

Bradley, who improved to 29-0 with the victory, seized Pacquaio's WBO welterweight world title.

But WBO president Francisco “Paco” 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 said the committee will meet soon and evaluate video of the fight with the help of five “recognized international judges”.

Based on “what emerges” the committee will 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,” Valcarcel said.

Saturday's bout in Las Vegas saw judge Jerry Roth give Pacquiao the fight 115-113, but C.J. Ross and Duane Ford both had Bradley winning by the same score, despite Pacquiao appearing to land the more damaging blows throughout the contest.

The fight's promoter, Bob Arum, questioned the competence of the judges, the selection process the Nevada State Athletic Commission used to choose them, and the fact that all came from Nevada.

While Arum said after the fight that the scoring was the result of incompetence and not corruption, on Monday he said he would ask the Nevada attorney general's office “for a full and complete inquiry.”

On Tuesday, US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid backed a probe into the decision.

“If an investigation makes everyone feel better, do the investigation,” said Reid, who represents Nevada.

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...
Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...