When the final bell sounded after today’s WBO welterweight title fight in Brisbane, the bloodied, beaten, and exhausted underdog Jeff Horn didn’t look like a winner.
The 29-year-old title challenger was a bloody mess. So bad that just a few minutes earlier, between the ninth and ten round, the referee threatened to call the fight off.
“I’m about to stop the fight, you need to show me something in this round,” he warned.
Horn nodded, then proceeded to find his second wind, bravely wading forward at Manny Pacquiao, landing a few meaningful blows to display some sign of life.
Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion in history, has won fights before the bell even sounds in the past. Fighters embellish his greatness, give him too much respect, and enter the bout mentally defeated.
It was clear from the opening bell that win lose or draw, Horn wouldn’t fall into the same trap. The bigger fighter flashed his power, clipping Pacquiao early and often.
Horn continued to rough Pacquiao up, using his obvious strength advantage to bully the future Hall of Famer against the ropes. Even in rounds that he clearly lost, the rough-and-tumble approach to the fight allowed ‘The Hornet’ to be a constant threat.
When the final bell sounded, the dark horse raised his hands and walked around the ring to the delight of 55,000-plus Aussie fans.
Then the decision came in. All three judges awarded the fight to Horn, with scores of 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113.
The sound that came next was absolutely deafening. The elated fans screamed, jumping in the air, some even hugging strangers.
But not everyone was pleased. Seasoned fight commentator and former coach Teddy Atlas was so incensed that he almost had a meltdown on camera.
“They gave a trophy, a win, a huge win, to Horn, the local kid, for trying hard,” the visibly frustrated commentator yelled. “You’re not supposed to get it for trying hard.”
Atlas wasn’t alone. Most boxing pundits scored the fight for Pacquiao, myself included. I had the 39-year-old veteran winning with a score of 115-113.
Contrary to the belief of Atlas, there was no robbery in Queensland, though, and there is no need for us to gather our torches and pitchforks.
Pacquiao won, on my personal scorecard, but not by a mile. It was a close contest, and the neverending pressure of Horn took its toll on the great ‘Pac Man’.
I cannot, however, excuse Waleska Roldan’s 117-111 score. By that tally, Horn won nine of the 12 rounds, which is ridiculous.
This isn’t the first time that Pacquiao was on the wrong side of a controversial call, though. In 2012 the Filipino puncher dropped a ludicrous split decision to Timothy Bradley.
Since then, Pacquiao has twice avenged that loss – and he plans to do the same to Horn.
“Absolutely, yes,” Pacquiao said when quizzed about fighting Horn for a second time. “We have a rematch clause, so no problem.”
With many already suggesting there was some hometown cooking in the River City, the rematch will almost certainly get pulled from Australia, likely to be hosted in Las Vegas, the home for most of Pacquiao’s recent bouts.
The 29-year-old ex-school teacher, who has never fought professionally outside of Australia, will have to fight on Pacquiao’s terms in the rematch and will probably be cast as a big underdog again.
But for tonight at least, Horn is the champion and Australia’s newest sporting hero.
Sean Heaney
Guest
Pofessional fights are not judged under Amateur rules
BigJ
Roar Guru
I agree Pacquiao took the decision like a man and the true champ that he is. Coukd you imagine Mayweather losing like that??? He be crying in his gloves saying that he was robbed of his 50-0. but that is a hyperthical so no point discussing it. Pacquiao will take a rematch, too much money not to.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Dirty fight???? Rough as guts but no intentional fouls, both gave as good as they got. In the rematch Pacquiao wont take it so easy. This could be very similar to the two Ali v Spinks fights.
BigJ
Roar Guru
It truly was tremendous to watch Horn get his win the upset of the century.
doogs
Guest
Im from Brizzy and I am thrilled for Jeff Horn. However, to suggest that Manny is a sooky cry baby is pretty poor. At the end he just said that he respected the judge's decision. His camp are not happy but Manny did not reflect that.
WCE
Roar Rookie
what will the excuse be when many looses a second time to the hornet at the rematch?? right now he should bow out with dignity and stop being a big sooky cry baby
Dan
Guest
How quick were manny supporters to jump on the net and carry on that he was robbed....I am a long time boxing fan that had no emotional investment in either of the fighters. I watched the fight but turned down the espn commentary as it was unbearable to listen to in the way they favoured manny. This was one of the most entertaining fights I have seen in a long time. Watching the fight a second time I still have no issues with the results. Maybe not unanimous but definitely Jeff horn won the fight over the 12 rounds. Forget the punch stats and all the dribble people are using as excuses for the "robbery claim" that's just complete ignorance and lack of knowledge of a boxing fan. Dissapointed to hear manny carry on back in Phil to media about the referee then the "dirty tactics" he claimed Jeff used. Then says he had no issues with Jeffs power.....I'm sorry manny but yes you had issues with his power you also had issues throughout the entire fight. Jeff won and manny lost ...you can look for any excuse you want (including manny) but the results will stay the same! And manny camp can investigate all they want but the belt won't come back to him. A great fight with a close finish and a deserving winner.
rayray
Guest
for mine, the first 4 rounds go 3-1 horn, the next 4 go 3-1 pacman 9 goes to pacman but i can't see manny winning any other round from there close but horn, the bigger younger man literally "beats" the smaller older man incredibly dirty fight but brilliant plan and executed to the letter! my 2 ducats worth...
Rabbits
Guest
It is what it is. Congrats to Horn for taking his opportunity. Pacquiao may have underestimated his opponent but let's not get too carried away, this was the 38-year-old version of the Pac-man. On Sunday afternoon at Suncorp, 75% of Manny was not enough to definitively win the fight - and I mean via a stoppage, although he came close in the 9th round. Pacquiao should probably retire although there is talk of a rematch. To be honest, altho Pacquaio is a draw in boxing being a living legend but he isn't as relevant as say eight years ago when he was blazing a trail up from featherweight.Horn will make at least one or two big pay days defending his title in a rematch or fighting one of the other titlists or top 10 in a loaded division. I'd pick Thurman, Spence and Brook to beat him. Spence would stop him, while Thurman would bust him up and make him quit. Brook would win 10 rounds of a 12 round fight.Danny Garcia, Amir Khan, Terence Crawford, et al the top 10 of the 140 and 147 are more than capable of beating Horn. I just don't see him being competitive against any legitimate/prime top tier opposition.
The Truth
Guest
Pacman should have retired. Mind you the money was too good to refuse. Ten million bucks. He was not switched on and hungry enough. The Australian, to all those who actually watched the fight, was the better man on the day. Manny won a round or two. But not over the 12 and the judges correctly agreed with that.
Andrew Macdougall
Roar Pro
Punch stats are a guy pushing a button ringside from what he thinks he sees, it's hardly something to bank a case on.
RealityCheck
Guest
https://www.ringtv.com/504064-pacquiao-horn-leaves-us-disgusted-weekend-review/ Just in case the australian flag on your glasses was getting in the way of your eyesight...
me too
Roar Rookie
The judges don't go by the total punches - they go round by round. And punches aint punches - it's about impact. On rounds Horn won 7, Manny 5. 2 judges were spot on. From my own watching I knew Manny needed that last round - he lost it.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Gator . When you are fighting a shorter man as Horn was you need to bend at the knees this sticks your bum weight back so to you have to keep your head forward for balance as Horn did . I didn't know how the score card system worked and my gut feeling at fight time was that Horn won enough rounds for a narrow win . Like the Colonel I expected it to go either way with the judges sticking with the title holder . The second time I watched it knowing the system , I had Horn up by 3 after round 8 . Round 9 clearly went to Manny and 10/9 is ridiculous . Manny won round 11 and Jeff round 12 or possibly even . The third time I watched it I noted that Manny did land a lot of light taps and so he did land more punches . Both boys fought well so a draw would have been good . I hope that Jeff stops the BS with the walking stick and keeps with the clean cut nice guy out side the ring image , but he's a mean bastard come fight time .
Gonzo
Guest
1. He's not the Golden Boy of boxing. 2. The punch stats don't lie. 3. Horn is world champion. 4. They are entitled to their opinion.
KingKongBundy
Guest
He doesnt have a choice there was a clause in the contract that if manny lost he would get a rematch straight away as a insurance policly ,cheeky aye,nice team u support there as much as they make me wanna rip my hair out at times
WCE
Roar Rookie
classic example of a boxer (manny) thinking it was an easy win and showed Horn no respect. If I was Horn I wouldn't bother giving him a rematch, he had his chance and he lost too bad , suck it up. Well done Horn dam legend!
BigJ
Roar Guru
Oh dont worry im not
KingKongBundy
Guest
Bob also said he scored it as manny winning i wouldnt read to much into what that snake has to say
Michaelj
Guest
Whatever the armchair experts think of the judgement, to go the distance was a titanic performance by Horn. No cage required.