Pacquiao/Cotto, Mayweather/Marquez to get instant replay

The Nevada State Athletic Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday to bring instant replay to one of the only major sports in America without it. This move is one that critics around the sport have wanted for quite some time, as it adds clarity and transparency to a sport that has displayed very little over the course of times.

A number of fights in recent history has shown us exactly why this move is a great one, and with a Fall lineup that appears to be slated with one mega fight after the next, the time couldn't be more appropriate.

When you look back to the recent fight between Nate Campbell and Timothy Bradley, it was clear that a headbutt caused the nasty gash Campbell suffered, and subsequently ended the fight, yet there was no integrity on behalf of the referee who officiated, and as a result, a warrior in the sport who has received less than his fair share of opportunities has to now deal with a TKO on his record that will reduce that level of participation even more.

The first fightcard to feature this new addition to the sport is the well anticipated card featuring the Floyd Mayweather Jr. - Juan Manuel Marquez showdown, which is set to take place on September 19th. Beyond that, there are a number of other showdowns slated to have it as well, with the most notable being the Cotto/Pacquiao showdown.

Neither Cotto or Pacquiao have a history of headbutts but this would gaurantee an outcome with firm integrity if such a thing happens, taking away the odds of having yet another mega fight end up in a stirring controversy.

Referees will have sole discretion to use the feature as necessary, so if one decides not to use it when foul play was obvious, it leaves blame for one person and one person only.

Should be interesting, and it's great to see this first step in bringing some well needed integrity to the sport.

Lets just hope isn't the final step.

Stay tuned.

***Although approved by the Commission, one final step is necessary in solidifying this measure***

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-845-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m8d20-PacquiaoCotto-MayweatherMarquez-to-get-instant-replay