The WBC have commented on the fact that they filmed and uploaded an interview with Carlo Padillo, a well known boxing referee, in which he admitted to assisting Manny Pacquiao to victory in his fight with Nedal Hussein.
Padilla said he gave his countryman a long count to recover from a knockdown, ignored an illegal head butt on Hussein, was quick to give a point deduction, and communicated with the ringside doctor ahead of Pacquiao’s stoppage victory.
Mauricio Sulaiman – President of the WBC, who sanctioned the bout for their International Super Bantamweight title back in 2000 – has addressed the controversy in an official statement.
“The World Boxing Council has established a special panel to review the situation about Legendary Referee Carlos Padilla with regards to some comments during an interview published by The WBC a few days ago.
We have received a sensitive letter from Mr. Padilla’s daughter Suzy which is found in this release as she has addressed it to the boxing Community of the world. The letter is self-explanatory and I, as President of The WBC, as well as a human being who has known Mr. Padilla since I was 10 years old, I can certainly empathise with Suzy and the contents of her letter to the boxing Community.”
The statement then includes the letter mentioned, signed by Suzy Padilla, who asks people to take into account her father’s age and language barrier.
“My father is an 88 year old man who is just that – old and ageing!
Despite the fact that he has been living in the United States for decades, English remains his 2nd language. Communications can be misconstrued and well intentioned words can be misinterpreted. The present situation is one such glaring example of what might have actually been said, (no pun intended), and what may have been taken out of context.”
She goes on to point out his storied presence in the sport of boxing.
“My father is a decent and honourable man. He dedicated his life to boxing and boxers and cared for them and their well being, regardless of nationality or circumstance. He refereed numerous historic fights with the likes of Muhammad Ali, Hagler, Leonard, Hearns, and many more fighters for the entirety of his career. He has since retired and has been out of the spotlight for as long as I can remember. Oh, but he loves to talk and entertain because like any other human, he still yearns to feel relevant.
I invite everyone to ask about Carlos Padilla among his peers: promoters, fighters, referees or anyone from his era and hopefully, you will learn about my father’s true character.”
And ends on asking people who viewed the video – including wronged fighter, Nedal Hussein – to respect her father rather than question the statements.
“He does not need controversies at this very late stage in his life. I know may sound biased, being the eldest child of six, but believe that through his legacy, he has proven his worth and we, his family would appreciate it if people respected his contributions to the boxing community he so loved, by giving him some well deserved consideration.”
Boxing Social will provide the conclusions of the WBC’s panel when they are made available.