Suspect scoring mars boxing

NEW YORK (AP) -- Paul Malignaggi said he'd never beat Juan Diaz in Texas if the fight went to the scorecards. It did, and he was right.

The Brooklyn-based junior welterweight may have lost that bout in August, a brawl that left a huge crowd at the Toyota Center in Houston on its feet. But few believe it was as one-sided as the 118-110 scorecard turned in by Gale Van Hoy, some even accusing the judge of blatantly favoring the hometown fighter.

As the sport rides the momentum generated by a potential superfight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, those within boxing are concerned that questionable judging may turn off casual fans just beginning to tune in.

Said promoter Gary Shaw: "The sport is on an upswing ... and it's all threatened by suspect scoring."