A crime took place in Brisbane, Australia and Manny Pacquiao ended up as the victim, according to sports analyst Stephen Smith.
In an animated discussion on ESPN, Smith objected to the judges’ unanimous decision that favored Australia’s Jeff Horn in his fight against Pacquiao.
“The thing that I’m depressed right now is I don’t have the three names and mug shots of each of those officials for the crime that they committed by robbing Manny Pacquiao tonight,” said Smith.
Smith noted that based on what he witnessed in the fight, Horn only managed to win four rounds against Pacquiao.
He admitted that he agreed with the referee’s decision to let the Australian fight despite being badly battered in the ninth round, but he said the younger Horn used his size advantage a little too much.
“He was the bigger fighter, he was leaning on Manny Pacquiao, mauling him all night long. He was throwing some elbows, kept hitting (Pacquiao) behind the head while holding him, and every time he was swarmed he lunges head first which is why the bleeding occurred,” Smith said.
Smith also pointed out that the Filipino champion is superior in other departments.
“Manny Pacquiao was quicker, he was the better boxer, he was more experienced, he was winning on points, he was landing more punches as Compubox showed,” he said.
Based on CompuBox statistics, Pacquiao out-landed Horn in 11 of the 12 rounds, 182-92.
“I (scored) 116-112 Manny Pacquiao… it’s stuff like this that hurts the sport of boxing. You don’t see this in the UFC… but you see this kind of garbage that just took place,” said Smith.
“I mean what did we just see? It’s horrible! something’s wrong with this decision. It was bogus.”
For his part, Pacquiao’s former foe Timothy Bradley Jr. said Horn did something that no other boxer has done against Pacquiao.
Bradley, who was part of ESPN broadcast team for the bout, said the youthful Australian forced Pacquiao to show his age.
“The reason why they are okay with this decision is because Manny Pacquiao did show his age at 38,” said Bradley. “He showed his age tonight.”
Bradley added that although most experts would disagree with the decision, he stressed that Horn was able to convince the judges.
“I don’t think he won the fight, honestly. But he did enough in there that made him look like he won,” Bradley said.
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.
This is what’s wrong with boxing. Horn was very game but I’m hard pressed to see how he could have won that fight by any stretch! #PacHorn
1:06 AM – 2 Jul 2017
Boxing is wack!!!! Pac-man got robbed again…This is why MMA is so big now..SMH