The Philippine Games and Amusement Board on Wednesday thanked the World Boxing Organization for looking into the Manny Pacquiao-Jeff Horn fight on July 2, but also blamed American referee Mark Nelson for the results.
“No matter what review they do, it will be hard to change the result as the referee didn’t call it close,” GAB chairman Abraham Kahlil Mitra said in a statement sent to AFP on Wednesday.
According to Mitra, “The judges’ scores would have greatly changed if the referee did his job properly.”
The GAB issued the statement a day after Pacquiao said he was “not surprised” the WBO affirmed the loss of his welterweight title to Horn, saying “We have seen worse judgments in the past where judges manipulated results.”
“Let the people judge for themselves. People saw what happened,” said the 38-year-old, who had won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions.
The WBO had reviewed the July 2 fight in Brisbane, Australia, at the request of the GAB, which criticized the judges and the referee.
Pacquiao’s camp alleged the referee let Horn get away with illegal tactics.
For the review, the WBO set up a panel of independent and anonymous judges to watch the bout without sound and determine who won each round.
On Tuesday it said the judges found Horn won seven rounds to Pacquiao’s five.
“Evidence”
Horn, a former schoolteacher written off before the bout by most observers, welcomed on Tuesday the ruling as “evidence” of his victory.
“It’s definitely nice to have it finally put on paper,” said Horn, who had been keen for a rematch.
In the twilight of a 22-year pro career, Pacquiao had initially called for a rematch, but later said he would also “think hard” about retiring.
Pacquiao briefly quit boxing last year to pursue his long-held political ambitions and was elected senator.
But he quickly made a successful comeback against Jessie Vargas in November, saying he still felt like a youngster.
Pacquiao’s loss to Horn had prompted calls that he retire for good. Agence France Presse