MANILA, Philippines - (UPDATED) The younger Jeff Horn made his country proud as he beat the older Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision and now the WBO Welterweight Champion of the World on July 2 at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
It looked like just an ordinary Sunday for most Filipinos. But yes, It’s Pacquiao Day once again as the fighting Senator of the Philippines, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao slugged it all out against an undefeated Australian Jeff “Hornet” Horn.
With Rugby or Australian football as the most popular sport in Australia, Pacquiao and Horn made a sports history in the Land Down Under as the country hosted its very first big boxing match. The Suncorp Stadium was filled with 55,000 paying spectators.
Manny Pacquiao entered the ring with Rocky Balboa’s sound track “Eye of the Tiger” as his background music and a very loud chant from his Australian and Filipino fans in the stadium.
Michael Buffer echoed his infamous “Let’s get ready to rumble” boxing line in the entire Brisbane that hyped-up the crowd and signaled the start of “Battle Of Brisbane”.
Freddy Roach predicted a knockout in favor of his Student Manny Pacquiao prior to the fight proper. But the humble Pacquiao downplayed Roach’s forecast but rather promised the fans a good fight as always.
Horn being the younger and more hungry fighter stepped on the gas pedal as soon as the first bell rang. He pounded the Filipino with flurry of body shots but Pacman just smiled at him as he sized the taller and bigger Aussie in the opening round.
READ: Pacquiao vs Horn: live updates, round by round scores and results, undercard
After gauging the punching power of Jeff Horn, it was Manny Pacquiao’s turn to attack as he connected good shots at the Australian in the second round. Pacquiao showed his fast hands and footwork and hit Horn with a solid left hook in the chin.
Manny Pacquiao continued to land excellent left hands in the Hornet’s face. Horn got tagged multiple times but was able to counter with his own left.
Manny Pacquio scrambled on the floor on the fourth but it was ruled out as a clean push from Jeff Horn by the referee. Manny Pacquiao felt the power of Jeff Horn when the Aussie landed a clean right straight to his head. The Filipino clinched on the Australian to get a quick break from the ring official.
Pacquiao looked for any open opportunity that can rock his heftier opponent. Both fighters engaged in a closed fist fight in the fifth round. The exchange of blows cheered-up the fans.
Jeff Horn pinned Manny Pacquiao in the ropes and connected a good uppercut as he started the sixth round. Pacquiao sustained a cut in the upper right forehead after a head clash with Horn. Blood continued to flow from Pacquiao’s forehead but he kept on fighting and refused to get checked.
Pacquiao’s corner put vaseline on hi cut to stop the bleeding as he prepared for the seventh round. Manny started to attack Horn but the Australian’s defense was tough and almost impenetrable. Pacquiao absorbed another cut, this time in the left part. Jeff Horn ended the seventh with a strong right Manny Pacquiao’s head.
Jeff Horn hit the floor at the 1:20 mark of the eighth but like Pacquiao’s fall earlier, it was ruled a slip. Manny connected few punches to Jeff and cut his right eyebrow.
Time is of the essence for Manny Pacquiao as he was behind Jeff Horn in the scorecard. Manny threw volumes of punches in the ninth round and rocked Jeff Horn. Horn back pedalled to survive Pacquiao’s onslaught.
During the round break heading to the tenth round, the referee approached Jeff Horn’s corner and advised the fighter to show him something or else he will stop the fight. Horn absorbed too much power from Pacquiao and got badly hurt in the ninth round.
Jeff Horn looked gassed out entering the tenth after exerting all the energy that he had in the earlier rounds. Pacquiao on the other hand, looked fresh despite the cuts he sustained from accidental headbutts.
Jeff Horn regained his composure in the eleventh and still standing in front of Manny Pacquiao despite of the numbers of hits that he absorb from the Filipino fighter.
The Aussie got lucky breaks as the referee asked his corner to tape fix the tape wrapped in his gloves.
Pacquiao and Horn went toe to toe as the final round started. Jeff Horn’s face is swollen while Pacquiao relentlessly threw more punches hoping to land a clean and nice one on Horn.
Manny was once again pinned on the ropes and Jeff Horn took advantage of it. Pacquiao despite of getting locked in, still managed to throw some punches.
After 12 rounds of intense boxing, Jeff Horn won by unanimous decision and grabbed the WBO Welterweight belt from Manny Pacquiao.
Both fighters would love to have a rematch as stated on the contract. If Jeff Horn’s to be asked, he wants to have “Battle of Brisbane II” in the years to come.
Manny Pacquiao during the post fight interview admitted the he fought sluggishly and revealed that he has learned so many things in this fight. Pacquiao however didn’t give a hint on his retirement but rather wants to have a rematch against Jeff Horn.
Pacquiao who’s turning 39 this coming December is already past his prime. He hasn’t knocked out an opponent since his bout against Miguel Cotto 8 years ago. His speed is slowly diminishing as well as clearly seen in this fight against the taller and bigger Horn. The cause might be his tight schedule in the Senate and PBA where he’s still a playing coach.
Whatever the results may be, Manny Pacquiao will still be the People’s Champ especially in the hearts of every Filipino People. You fought well Senator Manny! Nothing to be ashamed of Sir. You’ve already proven the world that you’re a boxing legend and nothing can beat your record.
From The Summit Express, a warm commendation and a snappy salute to you Sir!
-- Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express
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| Photo Credit: ESPN |
Wow. @jeffhornboxer unseats welterweight champion @MannyPacquiaoTR by UD. Scores: 117-111, 115-113 (2x). #PacHorn— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 2, 2017
With Rugby or Australian football as the most popular sport in Australia, Pacquiao and Horn made a sports history in the Land Down Under as the country hosted its very first big boxing match. The Suncorp Stadium was filled with 55,000 paying spectators.
Manny Pacquiao entered the ring with Rocky Balboa’s sound track “Eye of the Tiger” as his background music and a very loud chant from his Australian and Filipino fans in the stadium.
Michael Buffer echoed his infamous “Let’s get ready to rumble” boxing line in the entire Brisbane that hyped-up the crowd and signaled the start of “Battle Of Brisbane”.
Freddy Roach predicted a knockout in favor of his Student Manny Pacquiao prior to the fight proper. But the humble Pacquiao downplayed Roach’s forecast but rather promised the fans a good fight as always.
Horn being the younger and more hungry fighter stepped on the gas pedal as soon as the first bell rang. He pounded the Filipino with flurry of body shots but Pacman just smiled at him as he sized the taller and bigger Aussie in the opening round.
READ: Pacquiao vs Horn: live updates, round by round scores and results, undercard
After gauging the punching power of Jeff Horn, it was Manny Pacquiao’s turn to attack as he connected good shots at the Australian in the second round. Pacquiao showed his fast hands and footwork and hit Horn with a solid left hook in the chin.
Manny Pacquiao continued to land excellent left hands in the Hornet’s face. Horn got tagged multiple times but was able to counter with his own left.
Manny Pacquio scrambled on the floor on the fourth but it was ruled out as a clean push from Jeff Horn by the referee. Manny Pacquiao felt the power of Jeff Horn when the Aussie landed a clean right straight to his head. The Filipino clinched on the Australian to get a quick break from the ring official.
Pacquiao looked for any open opportunity that can rock his heftier opponent. Both fighters engaged in a closed fist fight in the fifth round. The exchange of blows cheered-up the fans.
Jeff Horn pinned Manny Pacquiao in the ropes and connected a good uppercut as he started the sixth round. Pacquiao sustained a cut in the upper right forehead after a head clash with Horn. Blood continued to flow from Pacquiao’s forehead but he kept on fighting and refused to get checked.
Pacquiao’s corner put vaseline on hi cut to stop the bleeding as he prepared for the seventh round. Manny started to attack Horn but the Australian’s defense was tough and almost impenetrable. Pacquiao absorbed another cut, this time in the left part. Jeff Horn ended the seventh with a strong right Manny Pacquiao’s head.
Jeff Horn hit the floor at the 1:20 mark of the eighth but like Pacquiao’s fall earlier, it was ruled a slip. Manny connected few punches to Jeff and cut his right eyebrow.
Time is of the essence for Manny Pacquiao as he was behind Jeff Horn in the scorecard. Manny threw volumes of punches in the ninth round and rocked Jeff Horn. Horn back pedalled to survive Pacquiao’s onslaught.
During the round break heading to the tenth round, the referee approached Jeff Horn’s corner and advised the fighter to show him something or else he will stop the fight. Horn absorbed too much power from Pacquiao and got badly hurt in the ninth round.
Jeff Horn looked gassed out entering the tenth after exerting all the energy that he had in the earlier rounds. Pacquiao on the other hand, looked fresh despite the cuts he sustained from accidental headbutts.
Jeff Horn regained his composure in the eleventh and still standing in front of Manny Pacquiao despite of the numbers of hits that he absorb from the Filipino fighter.
The Aussie got lucky breaks as the referee asked his corner to tape fix the tape wrapped in his gloves.
Pacquiao and Horn went toe to toe as the final round started. Jeff Horn’s face is swollen while Pacquiao relentlessly threw more punches hoping to land a clean and nice one on Horn.
Manny was once again pinned on the ropes and Jeff Horn took advantage of it. Pacquiao despite of getting locked in, still managed to throw some punches.
After 12 rounds of intense boxing, Jeff Horn won by unanimous decision and grabbed the WBO Welterweight belt from Manny Pacquiao.
Here is the scorecard from #PacquiaoHorn pic.twitter.com/RNx7XoUxQR— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) July 2, 2017
Both fighters would love to have a rematch as stated on the contract. If Jeff Horn’s to be asked, he wants to have “Battle of Brisbane II” in the years to come.
Manny Pacquiao during the post fight interview admitted the he fought sluggishly and revealed that he has learned so many things in this fight. Pacquiao however didn’t give a hint on his retirement but rather wants to have a rematch against Jeff Horn.
Pacquiao who’s turning 39 this coming December is already past his prime. He hasn’t knocked out an opponent since his bout against Miguel Cotto 8 years ago. His speed is slowly diminishing as well as clearly seen in this fight against the taller and bigger Horn. The cause might be his tight schedule in the Senate and PBA where he’s still a playing coach.
Whatever the results may be, Manny Pacquiao will still be the People’s Champ especially in the hearts of every Filipino People. You fought well Senator Manny! Nothing to be ashamed of Sir. You’ve already proven the world that you’re a boxing legend and nothing can beat your record.
From The Summit Express, a warm commendation and a snappy salute to you Sir!
-- Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express
