Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring against Mario Barrios on July 19th at the age of 46.
Manny Pacquiao has lost just eight times in his 72-fight career, which will have spanned 30 years by the time Pac-Man enters the ring against Barrios next month.
Pacquiao debuted before Barrios was even born, yet he will make another bid for the world title.
In 2012, Pacquiao had just three losses, and it was the fourth that would incite an incredible amount of controversy, and would even be the leading factor in one judge’s early retirement.
‘A great sport is now on a respirator’… Tim Bradley beat Manny Pacquiao in bogus decision in 2012
In 2012, Pacquiao (54-3-2) faced Tim Bradley (28-0) in a defense of his WBO welterweight world title.
The fight was not one-sided, but the vast majority felt Pacquiao won decisively after the 12 rounds were up.
In a list compiled by BoxRec of experts and writers, from publications like ESPN and Ring Magazine and more, 121 of 125 had the fight going to Pacquiao, one had it a draw, and just three scored it in favor of Bradley.
Bradley, who scolded Ryan Garcia lately, was announced the winner by split decision, and reactions poured in from the boxing world.
Mike Tyson‘s former assistant coach, Teddy Atlas, said: “It’s either corruption or incompetence. There’ll be a rematch. It speaks to the corruption of the sport. The criminals will be rewarded.”
Boxing promoter, Lou Dibella, said: “People, a great sport is now on a respirator. Boxing is presently a polluted playing field in every respect.”
Dan Rafael, a boxing journalist, claimed: “It was one of the most outrageous decisions I’ve ever seen.”
Even a review of the fight commissioned by the WBO concluded Pacquiao was the rightful winner, but the decision was not overturned.
Pacquiao vs Bradley judge quit the sport after a second terrible decision
CJ Ross was one of two judges to score the fight in favor of Bradley that night.
Though Ross faced much controversy for the decision, she continued as a judge for 15 more months, until one more terrible decision forced her to walk away from the sport.
In 2013, Canelo took on Floyd Mayweather. The hungry Mexican was determined to win, but Mayweather’s experience was just too much, and he took his first loss at the hands of the legend.
The loss, however, is on his record as a majority decision, because despite many believing it was not particularly close, Ross ruled Canelo vs Mayweather a draw in her scorecard.
This decision was so controversial that Ross wrote an email to the Nevada State Athletic Commission stating: “I will be taking some time off from boxing but will keep in touch.”
She never judged a bout again.