Illness causes judging change for Pacquiao-Bradley fight

Manny Pacquiao. Roger Alcantara / Wikimedia Commons

LAS VEGAS — Craig Metcalfe has been added to the three-judge panel for Manny Pacquiao’s rematch with Timothy Bradley on Saturday after judge John Keane fell ill.

The Nevada Athletic Commission announced the switch after Keane bowed out, electing to stay home in Britain.

Metcalfe, who is from Canada, will join Nevada’s Glenn Trowbridge and Florida’s Michael Pernick.

The judging for the rematch is under scrutiny after the result of the fighters’ first bout in 2012. Bradley’s split-decision victory was widely criticized by fans, many media members and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who all claimed Pacquiao won the fight easily.

NAC officials consulted with Top Rank, which promotes both fighters, and representatives of both boxers before choosing the judges for the bout. The promoter and the fighters had no problem with Metcalfe.