Boxing Experts Blog - Boxing

Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:40 am EDT

Arum, Beristain exchange barbs

LAS VEGAS — There hasn't been a better moaner in recent boxing history than Top Rank's Bob Arum.

Arum held the top spot until Saturday at Mandalay Bay, when it went by acclamation to Nacho Beristain, the no-class trainer of Juan Manuel Marquez.

For the second time in three weeks, Beristain's fighter lost a close decision in a bitterly contested bout. Marquez lost his WBC super featherweight title to Manny Pacquiao on a split decision Saturday before 11,061 at Mandalay Bay.

Two weeks earlier, Rafael Marquez lost a decision in Carson, Calif., to Israel Vazquez in another close fight.

Beristain said he wanted to protest that call and two decisions by referee Pat Russell. On Saturday, Beristain called the judging "a disgrace" and said it was harming boxing.

That prompted Arum, who was once so irate at an Oscar De La Hoya loss to Shane Mosley in 2003 that he demanded a federal investigation and also announced his retirement from boxing, to shout Beristain down.

"Stop with that bull (expletive) because you're (expletive) up the sport," Arum shouted. "There's nothing wrong with boxing. The judges aren't (expletive) up the sport. You are with those kinds of comments.

"One judge had it for Marquez. One had it the other way for Pacquiao. And another judge had it close for Pacquiao, one point. The media was all over the place, some for one guy and some for the other. Grow up and be a man and accept the judges' decision. I know now how stupid I looked all those times when I complained about the decision when I listen to you."

Jaime Quintana, Marquez' close friend and co-promoter, said he could understand those who agreed with Arum and saw Beristain's comments as harmful to the sport.

"Of course it was close," Quintana said. "We worked our butts off for three months. We can say it was a close fight, but we have the right to think we won the fight. And we have the right to say something happened with the decision."

But Quintana wouldn't concede that Beristain's words were more harmful to boxing's image than the judges' scoring.

"We just believe that, because we keep losing these decisions," Quintana said. "This has happened repeatedly. You have to understand, there are things going on around the WBC. They don't like the Marquez brothers. They don't like Ignacio Beristain. Whenever they see Ignacio Beristain or one of the Marquez brothers, they try to do something."

Pressed for evidence, Quintana admitted he had none.

Arum shrugged his shoulders later.

"Don't ruin a great night with that," Arum said. "Talk about the fight. Make the case for your guy. It was a great night for boxing. What a fight. Talk about that. Don't try to create something where nothing exists."

Let us know your thoughts. Comment below and let us know who you thought deserved to win and whether your agree with Arum or Beristain.

digg delicious
more

763 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Professor Spin
    1. Posted by Professor Spin Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:19 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    This was a great fight! This fight should help out boxing-seeing two world-class fighters put into the training and preparation to give this gift for the fight fans was awesome! Pacquiao won... business finished!
  2. Mr. Benga
    2. Posted by Mr. Benga Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:29 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Marquez should have clearly won the fight. Even the Filipino commentators who were announcing the fight had Marquez up by 1 point in their unofficial scorecards. It's just that maybe Pacquaio has a bigger name, that's why he won the fight.
  3. Professor Spin
    3. Posted by Professor Spin Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:19 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Now its time for the Lakers to win a championship! Go MANNY PACQUIAO!
  4. cyril
    4. Posted by cyril Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:33 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    it was a good and entertaining fight whetheir you like it or not Manny Pacquiao won the fight becoz..he is a Filipino and now the Champion of the World! Go Filipino!
  5. kaspa
    5. Posted by kaspa Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:55 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    marquez should knock down pacquiao..but he didnt!!!i think boxing is more on who,s kissing the floor!!
    end of story...
  6. thomas z
    6. Posted by thomas z Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:26 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Another draw.It was so close no one should have lost.
  7. DIEGO B
    7. Posted by DIEGO B Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:42 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The fight was great.The crowd was amazing.Nobody lost tonight.Boxing without a doubt still brings out the emotions of the fans like no other sport can.Marquez fought a brilliant fight and will now make more money than ever.As for the Pac-Man he is boxing prime action star.Even as I lost money betting against him,I'm not mad at the outcome.He made the fight worth every penny I lost.
  8. marco n
    8. Posted by marco n Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:06 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    This night is good for boxing fans.This fight is a close call, and the difference in the fight is the knocked down in the third, so I believed that Pacquiao won by a 1 point.The Judges here are right.
  9. kid  lat
    9. Posted by kid lat Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:40 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Great fight. judges decisions are final and pacquiao won. just because you lost consecutives fights via close one doesn't mean that boxing world is up against you. respect the decision and be a man. give props to the winner. dont be a sore-loser!
  10. boxingteacher
    10. Posted by boxingteacher Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:01 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Marquez has now won two fights against Pacquiao. It's as simple as that.
  11. noel
    11. Posted by noel Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:40 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    In every sport especially boxing if it involves judges score cards there will always be a comment (negative) from the losing side but do you think it will motivate the fighter for giving such comment? Well, it was a great fight and both the fighter show world class talent but the FILIPINO won because he deserves it. Wait for the rematch and see what will happen next. GO PINOY.. GO PACQUIAO
  12. lolek
    12. Posted by lolek Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:53 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    if you kiss the canvass then that will define boxing
  13. noel
    13. Posted by noel Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:40 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    In every sport especially boxing if it involves judges score cards there will always be a comment (negative) from the losing side but do you think it will motivate the fighter for giving such comment? Well, it was a great fight and both the fighter show world class talent but the FILIPINO won because he deserves it. Wait for the rematch and see what will happen next. GO PINOY.. GO PACQUIAO
  14. Catherine
    14. Posted by Catherine Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The only reason why marquez' brothers are still getting shots at great boxers is because they head-butt a lot, thats their only weapon, shame on you Beristain fot teaching them that, your fighters lost get over it you big baby...
  15. ms kat
    15. Posted by ms kat Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:21 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    On their 1st fight, Manny got robbed when the 1st rd was mistakenly scored by one of the judge. Had it not been for that mistake Marquez won't be making a huge payday 2nite. And Pacquiao moved on for 4 years. Who won the first fight???? PACQUIAO. This time, Marquez got floored again in the 3rd and now screaming from the top of his lungs he won the fight! For a champion, you can't live by counterpunching alone. You gotta fight like a champ. Great fight though.
  16. kid  lat
    16. Posted by kid lat Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:40 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    4 knockdowns in 24 rounds. case closed!
  17. kaspa
    17. Posted by kaspa Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:55 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    kissing the floor 4 times..is that your way of winning?
  18. Catherine
    18. Posted by Catherine Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    two words, " round ten"
  19. Alloy
    19. Posted by Alloy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:16 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Boxing teacher and Mr. Benga are you watching the boxing match? Don't act like you have no class at all. The judges scored it and both fighters did a great job.
  20. merlin m
    20. Posted by merlin m Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The best is to have a rematch, I salute Marquez for being so tough. It was so close, but it is a right decision that Manny won. For Marquez's ward, Shut up! it is a just officiating, you are just luccky that you earned a draw 4 years ago. Now its your time to lose. GET RID OF THE POLITICIANS AROUND YOU MANNY! They are just spoiling the everything.
  21. lolek
    21. Posted by lolek Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:53 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    marquez is an intelligent fighter but he keep on kissing the canvass against manny. that's the most accurate picture between the two. congrats manny!!
  22. Catherine
    22. Posted by Catherine Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    kevin lole is an ignoramus and he does not know how to score fights, yahoo sports should get rid of him, maybe he was watching a different fight thats why he scored 112-115.
  23. eric b
    23. Posted by eric b Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:55 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Juan Manuel Marquez is a sore loser. Just be a man and accept that you lose to a better fighter in Manny Pacquiao. This fight is so close but the difference is the knocked down in the 3rd round.
  24. taloids
    24. Posted by taloids Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:51 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    im a filipino, but by the way i see it. marquez should have won the fight. i think it's just boxing politics that pac-man won the fight. on a business point of view, pac-man would bring in more money than marquez,why sell a boxer who is dull.pac-man brings exicitement to the sport. that sells,man!
  25. kid  lat
    25. Posted by kid lat Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:40 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    lole had predicted a marquez win in his column a few weeks ago. his scoring is pretty much influenced by his prediction.

Boxing Experts Blog

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

Related Photo Gallery

Blog Roll

Yahoo! Sports Blog Recent Readers