Pacman's worst nightmare not Marquez but Dick Flaherty

This cold very well be the nightmarish declaration Buffer reads to the thousands at Mandalay Bay and to the millions of Pinoys watching around the world along about 9 pm March 15.

It may have been completely unintentional but the WBC and the Nevada commision have allowed Flaherty, a former Boston cop, into the deciding what may be the most important boxing watch of 2008. They've thrown a wild card into the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez deck and they may regret it for a long time.

Flarherty, who is in his 70s, is one of the most inconsistent and irratic judges in the world. He is almost as bad as a referee but, in this particular case, he can affect only the fortunes no the health of these two great fighters.

I'm not saying this experienced official is the worst judge in his home state of Massachussettes but he is probably in a tie with four others for that unwated crown. I guess political hacks appoints other hacks to the Commonwealth's commission and then those hacks hire other hacks as judges and referees. Whenever the cause, the officiating in a Bay State is woeful.

Let me add that Flaherty is a nice guy, honest as can be and that my best friend from childhood days is close to him. So there is nothing personal in my diatribe here. In fact, this is a story I would prefer not write but too much is at stake here for Messers. Marquez and Pacquiao.

Want some examples of how Flaherty could easily miscall Pacman-Juan Ma? There is plenty of prior evidence.

Let's start with the controversial boutj between Sam Peter and James Toney. The only person in the free world who tabbed it 9-3 for the Nigerian was, you guessed it, Flaherty. This was a bout which produced a media postfight poll in which 28 of the 29 journalist said Toney won.

For more recent ineptitude, look to the stirring Jaidon Codrington-Sakio Bike "Contender" finale on ESPN. Codrington, who was stopped in the bout, was on the floor when Bika threw a punch at him. No warning, no penalty, no nothing by Flaherty.

Flaherty has been officiating poorly for a long while. Journalist Michael Woods wrote once about seeing a 1996 bout in Massaschusettes in which a local yokel was aggressive but not effectively againts an outsider. Flaherty, of course, had local yokel way in front at the finish.

This is the same Flaherty who, in speaking to fight writer and fellow ex-cop Bob Maldinich, answered critics of his ridiculous Peter-Toney ballot this way: " My record speaks for itself. Fact is I always give 110 percent. My eyes and my mind are totally focused on what is going on in the ring. I have treamendous ability to afficiate fairly and objectively."

Now, if Tom Kaczmareck says that, it's one thing but Dick Flaherty gasses himself?

I save what I think is the worst for last. On August 5, 2006, Kassim Ouma posted a 10-round decision over Sechew Powell in New York. I was at the fight Reliable judge Syteven Weisfeld saw 97-93 and Tony Paolillo called it 96-94. So you had two judge just four points apart in a
10-round bout.

Then came Flaherty's stunner.

In his wisdom, Flaherty called it a 100-90 shutout or 10-0 in round for Ouma. What means is that he and Weisfeld were an astonishing eight points apart after 10 rounds. In other words, Weisfeld tabbed it 6-4 for Ouma while incredibly Flaherty called a shutout.

Oh, I've got another eye opener on Flaherty. This once came during 2000 in New Orleans when Roy Jones turned back Eric Harding by decision. Judge Kenny Saintes favored RJJ by seven points while Barry Oregon had him in front by four points.

Sticking out like a sore thumb-again-weas Flaherty who barely gave it to Jones with a 96-94 tally. How could he and Saintes be five points apart in a 12-rounder? I don't recall any special controversy or disputes on that one which makes it all the more remarkable.

Flaherty seems to be out of sync with his peers quite often.

Manny Pacquiao, accept Dick Flaherty at your peril. If Team Pacquiao accepts this judge, then a robbery by pencil is likely to happen.

Beware the Ides of March, especially when Flaherty is giving official pen and paper.

I'd rather be judged by Pontius Pilate than by Flaherty.

He may be Pacman's worst professional nightmare.

On the other hand, he is capable of screwing it up for Marquez also.

An honest judge, yes. But erratic is as erractic does.

By Macheal Marley
http://www.boxingconfidential.com/articles.php?id=3996