Boxing world left fuming over robbery after Manny Pacquiao fight
Manny Pacquiao’s historic return to the ring has ended in controversial scenes with fans watching on left seeing red.
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The boxing world has been left seething after Manny Pacquiao’s return to the ring ended in a majority draw.
The 46-year-old earned a shot against 30-year-old WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios thanks to his protected ranking.
Tszyu vs Fundora 2 & Pacquiao vs Barrios | SUN 20 JULY 10AM AEST | In the biggest fight of the year, Tim Tszyu faces Sebastian Fundora in a blockbuster rematch, plus Manny Pacquiao makes his highly anticipated return to the ring to face Mario Barrios. | Order now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
While many believed the champ would have proved too strong for the hall of famer, it was the elder statesman who showed he still has what it takes at the top level.
Pacquaio had his opponent scurrying around the ring as his nimble punches came in bunches over the majority of the 12 rounds.
As the final bell rang, the boxing world held its breath as the judges submitted their cards. It was when they were read out that outrage took over.
One judge scored the bout 115-113 to Barrios while the remaining two judges had it 114-114 with the fight ending in a majority draw. It means Barrios retains his WBC title.
“I thought I won the fight,” Pacquiao said after the fight.
Those watching on believed the result was clear cut in Pacquiao’s favour with social media exploding after the draw was announced.
Boxer Shakur Stevenson wrote: “Decision was crazy.”
Journalist Dan Rafael wrote: “A draw. Barrios retains the WBC welterweight title. That’s just absolutely awful. Beyond awful. Complete f***eration.”
DAZN’ s Steven Muehlhausen wrote: “This is where these commissions need to make the judges available to speak after fights. Scores likes this are inexcusable when the fight was fairly easy to score.”
Another on X wrote: “Get f***ed that’s a disgusting scorecard Manny Pacquiao has just been f***ing robbed he won that fight 115-113 get lost.”
US boxing great Shawn Porter strongly took aim at the decision when asked if the Filipino icon should fight on.
“When you have – I’m just going to say it - incompetent judges that don’t truly understand everything that they see, everything that’s transpiring in the ring, you’re taking a chance on working through another camp, doing everything you can, putting your heart on the line, your life on the line, and then this is the kind of result you get,” Porter said on the Main Event coverage.
Pacquiao said he will be stepping back into the ring with Barrios agreeing the duo should run it back.
Earlier on the card, there was huge drama in Tim Tszyu’s rematch with Sebastian Fundora.
The Aussie was knocked to the ground in the opening round of the word title rematch and never recovered despite landing some savage blows of his own.
The 30-year-old confirmed after the chaotic scenes in the ring that the decision for him to quit on his stool had been made by the whole team.
“I tried to give it everything but I just couldn’t do it,” Tszyu said after the fight.
Tszyu looked a broken man in the dressing room after the fight. He was taken to hospital after completing his post-fight obligations.
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