The Montreal Screwjob of Boxing

Fixed.


That's how many of us call the conclusion of the recently Manny Pacquiao versus Timothy Bradley fight that took place at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino yesterday.


The fight is a clone of what took place at the WWF during the Bret Hart versus Shawn Michaels championship bout tagged as the "Montreal Screwjob" where current WWF champion Bret Hart was stripped of his title without his knowledge. Vince McMahon, the WWF owner,  interfered in the match stating that Bret Hart did tapped out when locked in the "Sharpshooter" submission hold by Michaels. 
The main reason behind the "fix" is that Bret Hart, who at that time is the company's biggest asset, is already living the stables of WWF to join the rival WCW. Shawn Michaels at that point is a rising star.


Going back to boxing, how are the stories related?


Bob Arum, Top rank's promoter, wants to be Vince McMahon.


Manny Pacquiao's contract with Top Rank will expire in 2013. This would allow him to test the waters in terms of negotiations later on with either promotions. At the event that Pacquiao is leaving, if he chooses to, nothing will be left for Arum. Bradley on the other hand, rises at the right place at the right time. With his undefeated record, beating Pacquiao will boost his ratings. 


Arum is at his drawing board right now. Planning the timeline for his million-dollar business for the next three years. With the guaranteed rematch on November, revenue is secured with what the fiasco created. Expectations of the return of the Pacman brawler is heavily anticipated with everyone waiting for a Bradley knockout. Of course this would also guarantee another rematch by May or June 2013 to complete the trilogy. That is if Pacquiao re-signs with Top Rank for 2013.


What if he doesn't? 


While everyone is expecting the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight to materialize when Manny leaves Top Rank since both fighters can negotiate at their own free will, its not going to happen. Instead, Arum is ready to pull the trigger and shutdown the Pacman era by doing another fix at the November fight. He can then present the biggest card in boxing with Mayweather versus Bradley for 2013, Undefeated vs. Undefeated. It is possible with Bradley's ratings boosting up by defeating Pacquiao twice, even via whatever.


Everyone sees it. Viewers aren't stupid. What took place yesterday is definitely bad for the sport but not for the business. It just makes me wonder why the hell am I seeing Mayweather previously in WWE. Who again are those two judges who were believed to be blind? C.J Ross and Jerry Roth? Makes me think about Good Old Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler calling the fight. So wrestling if you're a fanatic during the attitude era.


Come November fight, what I'll be looking at is if Pacquiao signed an extension with Top Rank or not. From there, I can predict the verdict. No need to waste time for twelve-rounds.