Its been over a month since Juan Manuel Marquez lost a controversial decision versus Manny Pacquiao for the third time depending who you ask and continues to be a hot debate among boxing fans but the contest has also become a hot debate with the political scene in Mexico.
During the fight, Juan Manuel Marquez was wearing the emblem of the opposition Institutional Revolutionary Party or PRI, on his trunks. That small green-white-and-red logo which was viewed by millions around the world overturned a recent municipal election in Mexico.
The Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) said that by wearing the logo of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), had violated a ban on campaigning ahead of elections and on campaigning abroad.
The PRD along with the National Action Party (PAN) of President Felipe Calderon filed a complaint with the electoral authorities. According to preliminary results, the PRI won the governorship after 10 years but in recent reports the federal electoral tribunal ruled in PAN’s favor, overturning the elections because of the new form of political advertising. PRD say it wasn’t a legitimate victory and a new vote is to be held again within 150 days.
Members of the PRI have denied having any involvement in getting Marquez to wear their logo. Juan Manuel Marquez has told the Mexican media that he didn’t know the elections where happening.
“Someone in my team put the logo on and I didn’t notice. I was focused on the fight,” Marquez said. “I got in the ring without backing any party I got in the ring to do my work.”
Marquez was also quoted saying he will explore his options for 2012 if a fourth fight with Manny Pacquiao doesn’t happen then he will go after undefeated Timothy Bradley (28-0-12KOs).
Rumors also circulate that Michoacan’s powerful drug cartel may have been involved with the logo scandal due to the fact that on the eve of the elections, one local cartel placed an advertisement in a newspaper in the town of La Piedad threatening citizens who voted for the PAN.
Whatever the case may be, its sad that boxing is becoming a big political issue.
When I first saw the trunks during the fight… I knew it was going to be a big deal..
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