Senators call for commission

Manny Pacquiao (R) was on the receiving end of a dubious decision against Bradley

American senators John McCain and Harry Reid have introduced legislation that would create a national body to govern boxing.

The United States Boxing Commission would be tasked with administering federal boxing law, working with the industry and local commissions and licensing boxers, promoters, managers and sanctioning bodies.

While sanctioning bodies could provide names of referees and judges it considers qualified, only the national commission could make appointments for fights.

It comes in the wake of Timothy Bradley's controversial points decision win against Manny Pacquiao earlier this month, when the majority of viewers felt Pacquiao had won by a wide margin.

"Clearly, the conspiracy theories and speculation surrounding the fight are given life because there are so many questions surrounding the integrity of the sport, and how it is managed in multiple juristictions," said McCain.

The former presidential candidate, who boxed during his time at the US Naval Academy, pointed out that boxing is the only sport in the United States without a strong, centralized association to regulate it.