THREE KNOCKDOWN RULE KAYOED

THREE KNOCKDOWN RULE KAYOED

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dennis PRINCIPE


JUST like in their first outing, the contentious three-knockdown rule will not be in effect when Manny Pacquiao meets Juan Manuel Marquez for the second time.

In an email, World Boxing Council (WBC) secretary-general Mauricio Sulaiman said the 12-round championship rematch between Marquez and Pacquiao will be using the Unified Rules of the influential Association of Boxing Commission.

“That rule will not be in effect. The USA commission does not allow any other rule except the unified rules,” said Sulaiman, son of longtime WBC president Jose Sulaiman.In their first encounter back in May 2004, Pacquiao floored Marquez three times in the opening round of their 12-round world featherweight championship held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Had the three knockdown rule enforced at that time, Pacquiao would have been declared winner by technical knockout.



Marquez however took advantage of the ruling as he miraculously salvaged a 12-round split draw to keep his International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) 126-lb belts while Pacquiao managed to keep his reputation as the division’s Peoples champion.

In that fight Judge Burt Clements was unaware that he could score a round 10-6 for the fighter who scored three knockdowns. Clements thought the Nevada Athletic Commission did not want its judges to score a round 10-6.

Judge John Stewart called the fight 115-110 for Pacquiao, Guy Jutras called it 115-110 for Marquez. Clements scored the fight 113-113 making it a draw. The official scorecards showed that had Clements scored the first round 10-6 Pacquiao would have won.

The commission said there is no rule that covered the situation and no grounds for a protest because it was a judgment call.

This coming March 15, Marquez and Pacquiao will clash for the Mexican’s WBC world super featherweight belt.

Meanwhile, Filipino boxer Vernie Torres said that Pacquiao is unperturbed about the latest controversy bugging the Filipino boxing superstar’s out-of-ring circumstances.

“Hindi naman siya apektado sa ngayon kasi focus siya sa laban niya kay Marquez,” said Torres “Alam ni Manny kung gaano ka-importante and laban kaya hindi niya muna iniintindi yung kaso.”

Last week Pacquiao again hugged the limelight after an amount of $180,000 was reportedly withdrawn from one of his bank accounts by one of his supposed trusted staff.

The wife of Pacquiao’s driver Joseph Jose is being tagged as the culprit, identified as Pia Quijada who reportedly forged the superstar boxer’s signature.

Sources from Los Angeles revealed that what is puzzling police who are investigating the case is that Pacquiao claims he was not aware of the bank account that totaled $200,000.

Quijada’s mother who also lives in LA has sought forgiveness from Pacquiao and told the boxer that the money was used for the education of the suspect’s children.

Another thing baffling investigators is the reported move of Pacquiao to drop the case.

According to Torres, Pacquiao is leaving everything to police investigators handling the case.

As for Pacquiao’s training, Torres said American trainer Freddie Roach has so far assembled an array of sparring partners in anticipation of possible adjustments Marquez might utilize come fight time.