A victory despite Geno’s spotty work

MACAU – Referee Genaro (Geno) Rodriguez didn’t do a commendable job as the third man in the ring for the Manny Pacquiao-Brandon Rios fight at the Cotai Arena in the Venetian Resort Hotel here yesterday morning as the former Golden Gloves fighter who teaches boxing to kids in his Chicago neighborhood never asserted his authority in cracking down on roughhousing tactics.

Genaro (Geno) Rodriguez, 64, had never worked a Pacquiao fight and it was also his first assignment with Rios. WBO president Paco Valcarcel tapped Rodriguez to work the bout because of a glowing reputation. Rodriguez has logged over 70 world title fights and travels around the globe to ply his trade. Among the countries where he has worked are Germany, Costa Rica, Colombia, Scotland, Panama, England, Mexico, Argentina, Poland and the Philippines. Unfortunately, he failed to uphold his reputation as Rios repeatedly got away with bullying tricks. Rodriguez warned Rios at least thrice for hitting on the break, pulling Pacquiao’s head down and other unsportsmanlike antics. He should’ve slapped a point deduction to put Rios in place but tolerated the shenanigans. There were instances where Pacquiao openly complained to Rodriguez but the referee didn’t seem to mind.

Rodriguez is no stranger to Filipino fighters. In 2008, he came to Manila to referee the WBO bantamweight championship fight between defending titleholder Gerry Peñalosa and Thai challenger Ratanachai Sor Vorapin at the Araneta Coliseum. Peñalosa halted Ratanachai in eight rounds.

Rodriguez was also the referee when ALA fighter Marlon Sabillo stopped Luis de la Rosa to capture the interim WBO miniumweight crown in Cerete, Colombia, last March. Two Filipinos suffered defeats with Rodriguez as the referee. Norzagaray’s Pretty Boy Lucas was outpointed by Baby Jake Matlala in a WBO flyweight title match in South Africa in 1994 and Brian Viloria lost to Juan Francisco Estrada by split decision in a WBA/WBO flyweight championship unification duel here last April.

A memorable fight that Rodriguez worked was Lamon Brewster’s 52-second demolition of Andrew Golota in a WBO heavyweight title match in 2005. Two years ago, David Haye’s camp protested Rodriguez’ assignment to work his fight against Wladimir Klitschko on the grounds of familiarity as he is often picked for the Ukrainian’s bouts. But Rodriguez’ appointment was upheld and Klitschko went on to decision Haye in a heavyweight title fight sanctioned by the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO.

The three judges for the Pacquiao-Rios fight were Lisa Giampa of Las Vegas, Michael Pernick of Miami and Manfred Kuechler of Germany.

Giampa’s husband Chuck was a referee from 1985 to 2010. She herself has compiled a hefty record of world title assignments, including Donnie Nietes’ win over Mexico’s Ramon Garcia in a WBO lightflyweight contest in Bacolod City two years ago. In that fight, Giampa scored it a generous 118-110 while the other judges had it closer with Carlos Ortiz, Jr. tallying 117-111 and Danrex Tapdasan 115-113.

Giampa’s scoring was also lopsided when Hekkie Budler turned back Filipino challenger Florante Condes to retain his IBO minimumweight crown in South Africa in 2002. She had it 118-110 while Tapdasan scored it 115-113 and Ace Makeluza 116-112. It appears that Giampa has a tendency to look only one way in judging a fight.

Pernick was a judge when Viloria lost to Estrada here last April. He was in the panel when Miguel Cotto halted Delvin Rodriguez in Denver last month. Trainer Freddie Roach and Filipino assistant Marvin Somodio were in Cotto’s corner for the bout.

Kuechler had never worked a fight in Asia. He has judged bouts in England, Serbia, Macedonia, France, Italy, Poland, Namibia, Ukraine, Austria, Hungary, Finland, the Netherlands, South Africa and his home country. In 2008, Keuchler was a judge in the IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight title fight where Klitschko took out Hasim Rahman in seven rounds.

In any fight, the judges will score on the basis of four factors which are effective aggression, ring generalship, clean punching and defense. Accuracy and frequency of connection are critical. On the whole, the volume or busier puncher has the edge in gaining the nod of the judges.

Giampa’s scoring history indicates she is impressed by fighters who are aggressive and extremely active, to the point where their opponents are overlooked. Pernick and another judge Francisco Martinez scored it for Estrada over Viloria last April, outvoting Levi Martinez who saw it for the Hawaiian Punch. He was back at the Cotai Arena to judge yesterday morning. Kuechler’s background isn’t as rich as Giampa’s or even Pernick’s so that he may be swayed by crowd reaction particularly if a fighter enjoys a “homecourt” advantage.

The whole idea is for a fighter to decide his own fate and not let the judges do it. Pacquiao was robbed of victory in the first fight against Juan Manuel Marquez and in losing the WBO welterweight title to Timothy Bradley. Rios was lucky to escape with a win by split decision over Richard Abril last year – he deserved to lose.

Against Rios, Pacquiao left no doubt as to who deserved to win. He battered Rios from pillar to post and won by a lopsided unanimous decision despite Rodriguez’ spotty work. Pernick saw it 120-108, Giampa 119-109 and Kuechler 118-110.