Harry Reid endorses Pacquiao-Bradley fight investigation

WASHINGTON -- A former amateur boxer, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had a few thoughts on the disputed outcome of the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley fight in Las Vegas.

Reid, the Nevada Democrat who was a boxing judge himself in his earlier days -- “an inexact science,” he called it Tuesday -- welcomed an investigation into Saturday’s bout at the MGM Grand. Fans have protested the judges’ split decision that made Bradley the winner, and there have been calls for the Nevada attorney general to investigate.

“I feel confident there’s been nothing untoward,” Reid said Tuesday. “But if an investigation makes everyone feel better, do the investigation.”

Reid has often been ringside for the big fights -- and once ran into ethical questions for accepting credentials to observe the events -- but missed the weekend match to celebrate his wife’s birthday.

“One of my very good friends was one of the judges for this fight. And from all the reports that I’ve seen by people on the outside who saw the fight, who attempted to be fair and judge the fight, Pacquiao won the fight,” Reid went on.

“Now, I understand how upset everybody is. The person that’s handled this better than anyone else is Pacquiao. He has said, ‘It’s a fight, and I lost.’ But he’ll fight again.”

Reid suggested it might be time to make another push with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on their stalled bipartisan bill for a national boxing commission.

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