NBA players, US celebrities upset over Horn win, say Pacquiao ‘robbed’

Jeff Horn came away with a unanimous decision victory over Pacquiao on Sunday to claim the WBO welterweight title before a boisterous crowd at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.

Horn’s upset win, however, didn’t sit well with NBA stars and Hollywood celebrities, who did not hold back on social media in venting out their disappointment over the shocking turn of events.

“Uhhhhhhh, can U Say Bulls**t??!!Manny got F****d!!! That’s the Face of a Winner??!” posted the award-winning actor Samuel L. Jackson on Twitter referring to Horn, whose face was swollen and had a cut above the right eye after taking a punch in the second round.

“Boxing is wack!!!! Pac-man got robbed again…This is why MMA is so big now..SMH,” said retired NBA player Chauncey Billups, who was the Finals MVP during the Detroit Pistons’ championship run in 2004.

In 2012, Pacquiao also suffered a controversial loss to Timothy Bradley by split decision in a bout where he yielded the same welterweight crown. Pacquiao regained the belt two years later in a one-sided rematch.

Shortly after controversial decision was made, Kobe Bryant posted a GIF showing a shocked close-up of rapper and actor Ice Cube on Twitter that has been retweeted and liked for over 30,000 times as of posting.

Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves also had the eight-division champion’s back.

“Disrespected @mannypacquiao like he not a legend. #PacquiaoHorn.”

The numbers also showed Pacquiao got the better of Horn and DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors let the people know about it, tweeting a post with a photo of the punch stats.

“The sun must’ve been in the judges faces,” said the athletic swingman.

Horn threw 52 more punches with 625 but Pacquiao landed 90 more shots with 182.

Pacquiao landed 32% of his 573 total punches and also hit 123 power punches as compared to Horn’s 73.

source: sports.inquirer.net

No fireworks, but Pacquiao, Horn promise a good bout for fans

BRISBANE, Australia— Both appeared dapper and dignified in their expensive suits and exchanged no harsh words during the press conference of “Battle of Brisbane” Wednesday.

For Manny Pacquiao, the Fighting Senator, and Jeff Horn, the fighting school teacher, their tussle for the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown on Sunday is but a job they have to do to please the fans.

Even the face-off produced no sparks as the protagonists simply looked at each other with Pacquiao needing to look up at Horn, who is three inches taller.

Being an 11-time world champion, Pacquiao is used to the occasion, while Horn is trying to cope with the whirlwind changes in his ring career.

From a virtual unknown, Horn suddenly found himself thrust into the limelight with a global icon—earning a shot at instant superstardom, money and glory.

Informed that attendance at Suncorp Stadium could reach 60,000 for Australia’s biggest ever boxing event, Pacquiao said fighting before such a huge crowd heightens his excitement.

And even if the fans will root for Horn, Pacquiao said he wouldn’t mind as it’s but natural for Aussies to be patriotic and side with their own.

Against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003 in San Antonio, Texas, Pacquiao joked that there were only five fans, including trainer Freddie Roach, rooting for him. The rest were booing him. But Pacquiao turned the jeers into a source of inspiration to stop the Mexican great.

For his part, Horn swore he’s trained the hardest ever to make the most of the golden opportunity to attain his dream of becoming a world champion.

“Though Pacquiao is the smaller man, he’s the biggest mountain I have to climb,” said Horn, who’s unbeaten in 17 fights against opponents nowhere near Pacquiao’s level.

While Pacquiao said he had no premonition of what will happen on Sunday, Horn bared he had a dream or a picture of himself “rising in that ring with the belt in my waist.”

While Pacquiao and Roach chose to be guarded on the outcome of the fight, to be beamed live in the US via free TV on ESPN, Horn’s trainer, Glenn Rushton, and fight promoter, Dean Lonegan of Duco Events, boldly announced that Horn will overwhelm Pacquiao.

“Manny’s time has come,” said Lonegan, adding it’s Horn’s turn to be a boxing champion.

Referring to Horn as a very competitive guy with a heart as big as Suncorp, Rushton said Pacquiao is in for the toughest fight of his life.

“It will be like 100 angry hornets surrounding you (Pacquiao),” he said.

While Roach refused to predict a knockout at the podium, he later told Filipino sportswriters that he sees Pacquiao finally ending his eight-year knockout drought in three rounds—especially if Horn chooses to engage Pacquiao toe-to-toe as he promised.

“If our opponent comes out, we’re gonna fire back,” said Roach.

source: sports.inquirer.net