Murad cries out for justice

New Jersey prooter Murad Muhammad filed the other day a protest urging the Nevada State Athletic Commission to correct judge Burt Clements’ scoring error that decided the outcome of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight in Las Vegas last weekend.

Muhammad, who flew in from the US with Pacquiao yesterday morning, said it is within commission executive director Marc Ratner’s jurisdiction to correct the error. He described the error as technical and mathematical. Clements is from Reno and represented the commission in the three-man jury.

The other judges were Gut Jutras of the World Boxing Association (WBA) and John Stewart of the International Boxing Federation (IBF). Marquez retained his WBA and IBF featherweight titles by virtue of a split 12-round draw.

Clements later confessed he made a mistake in scoring 10-7, instead of 10-6, for Pacquiao in the first round where Marquez was decked thrice. If Ratner corrects the error, Clements’ scorecard will tally 113-112 for Pacquiao and the Filipino will win by split decision.

The protest was filed by Los Angeles lawyer Lamont Jones in Muhammad’s behalf.

"We ask the commission to correct an admitted error based on one judge’s misinterpretation of Nevada’s scoring rules and customs," wrote Jones. "Judge Burt Clements has also asked the commission to correct the error Mr. Clements’ error deprived Mr. Pacquiao of two world championship titles and a multi-million dollar championship pay-per-view bout scheduled for July 31."

Muhammad said Clements realized his mistake at the end of the first round and attempted to correct it but was ignored.

Jones explained Muhammad is not seeking a ruling from the commission to overturn Clements’ exercise of his discretion in scoring a fight. He said the goal is "to protect the sanctity of that judgment and discretion and vindicate the commission’s purpose by correcting the error that caused Mr. Clements to render a scorecard that does not reflect his true judgment of how the first round should be scored."

Jones said based on Clements’ own admission, the commission should amend his scorecard to reflect a 10-6 count for Pacquiao in the first round and as a result, declare the Filipino the winner of the fight by split decision.

Muhammad said a hearing on the case will likely be called next week. "Mr. Ratner is a fair man," he continued. "I think he appreciates the injustice done to Manny. But this isn’t only about Manny. This is about preserving the integrity of professional boxing. An error was made and admitted by a judge appointed by the commission. It is vital for the commission to correct the error."

Once the commission makes the correction, Muhammad said the decision to proclaim Pacquiao the winner will be forwarded to the WBA and IBF for recognition. He said he is confident the IBF will act on the basis of what is fair.

Muhammad revealed that a week before the fight, he tried to scratch Jutras from the list of judges. Jutras, it was found out, was involved in an aborted fight fix as a referee some years ago. As a judge, he has been singled out for turning in incongruous scorecards. Jutras saw it 115-110 for Marquez and awarded only one of the last 11 rounds to Pacquiao.

"We were told it was too late to make the change," said Muhammad. "We were confident Manny would knock out Marquez so we let it go. Who would’ve thought that Manny would hurt his hand and foot? Because of Manny’s injuries, the fight became competitive. Without Manny’s injuries, he would’ve knocked out Marquez in two rounds."

Although Pacquiao didn’t win, Muhammad said he emerged from the fight more a hero than when he stopped Marco Antonio Barrera last November.

"Manny’s a warrior," he said. "He fights not only for himself but for the entire Filipino nation. Marquez is tough but he went down thrice when Manny was at full strength. If Manny didn’t hurt his hand and didn’t blister his big toe, Marquez wouldn’t have lasted. Even with Manny at 50 percent of his capacity, Marquez couldn’t knock him down. Manny got tagged because he couldn’t move his feet but took Marquez’ best shots. Manny took away Marquez’ spirit and won the fight clearly."

Muhammad said Marquez was badly battered in the bout. "Manny ruined his career," he went on. "I don’t think Marquez can fight until after a year. He hurt all over, his neck, his head. He couldn’t turn his head around. He had to be helped up by two guys to go to the press conference after the fight. He’ll never fight Manny again. Think of what Manny can do to him if he’s not injured. If they fight a rematch, it will be no contest. Manny will mug him. Marquez will have no chance."

Muhammad said Pacquiao cried when the decision was announced because he felt he let his countrymen down. "I told him he’s bigger now than before because of what he did," said Muhammad. "Marquez survived Manny only because he was hurt. Manny deserved to win. We filed the protest to correct an injustice because Manny should be the new champion."

Pacquiao’s business manager Rod Nazario said he will request for an audience with President Arroyo to explain what happened in Las Vegas. Muhammad said if President Arroyo could endorse the protest, it would make a global impact.

"The draw was an outrage," said Muhammad. "Manny was robbed. The President’s show of support will go a long way in making the commission realize the importance of this fight not only because of its implications on the integrity of the sport but also because an entire country is counting on a fair judgment."

Muhammad also said referee Joe Cortez was a disappointment. "I counted seven warnings for low blows and Cortez never deducted a point from Marquez," he said. A single point deduction on Marquez would’ve resulted in a win for Pacquiao by split decision.