By: Alex Tejada, EBC Sports International, Las Vegas Bureau
LAS VEGAS, USA (Eagle News) — Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao took on to center stage once again to square off with Australia’s own Jeff Horn.
Throughout the early rounds leading to the ninth, Horn proved to be somewhat the aggressor, coming forward to the clench and mixing in some shots to the back of the head and even connected with the occasional head butt. In the ninth round the fight was just seconds from being stopped with the referee explaining to Horn and his corner that if he did not put up a fight, it will be stopped.
Horn overcame this close stoppage and continued to fight the distance. Was Horn’s heart and adversity enough to get him the win?
For Horn this match-up will prove to be a Hollywood made story.
The punch statistics showed Manny Pacquiao being ahead on total punches landed. Pacquiao had a total of 573 punches thrown versus Horn’s 625. Punches landed for Pacquiao were 182 whereas Horn landed only 92. Power punches from Pacquiao were 123 compared to Horn’s 73.
The judges had a different outlook of the fight and favored in a unanimous decision, naming Horn the new WBO welterweight champion and setting up a rematch — Pacquiao vs Horn II.
