Pacquiao vs. Horn: Jeff Horn wins WBO title and the rest of the world isn’t happy

JEFF Horn’s win was an Australian sporting fairytale, but triggered a deluge of hostile reactions around the world.

Australia's Jeff Horn celebrates defeating Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

• Jeff Horn, champion of the world
• Manny, Horn ready to go again
• US fight fans are hating on Suncorp

JEFF Horn’s win was an Australian sporting fairytale, but triggered a deluge of hostile reactions around the world.

The unanimous decision had barely been handed down before the Twitterverse was sent into meltdown mode.

No-one questioned Horn’s heart, and some old hard-heads agreed with the judges’ decision.

.@stephenasmith can't believe it. pic.twitter.com/y535eKi1y3

— ESPN (@espn) July 2, 2017

But in the United States, particularly, there was widespread resentment which can only add spice to the rematch.

American fight commentator Teddy Atlas led the chorus of disapproval when he said: “They gave a win to Horn for trying hard – you are not supposed to get it for trying hard”.

Leading sports journalist and opinion-shaper Stephen A. Smith was just as caustic, claiming: “It’s garbage … What did we just see? This is a horrible decision. Horrible”.

Horn fought valiantly but he lost, plain and simply...Ah, boxing...there is nothing like it...showing heart doesn't equal winning...

— Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) July 2, 2017

Michael Wilbon, known for his no-nonsense views on the mass-rating US sports show Pardon The Interuption, said: “Horn fought valiantly. But he lost, plain and simple.

“Ah boxing. There is nothing like it. Showing heart does not equal winning.

“That said, Manny is 5-4 in his last nine fights and cannot put away ANYBODY.”

This was a reference to the fact that Pacquaio has not had a knockout victory for eight years.

Even basketballer Kobe Bryant and actor Samuel L Jackson had their say.

Bryant simply put up a photo of a bewildered face and Jackson said: “You can say bull----”.

Then, in an obvious reference to Horn’s bloodied face, Jackson said: “That is the face of a winner?”

I wish we had Australian boxing judges for NBA playoff series - I think the Celts could have beaten the Cavs.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 2, 2017

Boxing is a joke, and it proves it again tonight. Are you kidding me with those scorecards?#joke #rigged

— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) July 2, 2017

Pacquiao getting beat by unanimous decision to Horn is the biggest robbery in sports since the Patriots stole the Falcons Super Bowl rings

— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) July 2, 2017

Manny Pacquiao losing is why boxing is such a joke. How can people take this sport seriously anymore? Jeff Horn did not win that, sorry

— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) July 2, 2017

Manny Pacquiao is a grade A class act for accepting the judges decision... How do you do that seconds after getting robbed #PacquiaoHorn

— Dillon Loper (@DillonLoper15) July 2, 2017

Love Pacquiao's reaction! He knows. 😂 #PacquaioHorn pic.twitter.com/lDCMShdvZd

— Strictly Boxing Fans (@BoxingBritain1) July 2, 2017

Horn headbutt Pacquiao twice, and the ref almost stopped the fight in the 9th round but still won? #PacquiaoHorn pic.twitter.com/oXij7wHZsH

— Jake Clemons (@ClemonsJake) July 2, 2017

Jeff Horn is strong and game, but too slow, raw and inexperienced. He's got a better chance than @TheNotoriousMMA vs @FloydMayweather but...

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 2, 2017

I've long been a Pacquiao fan. But I don't really want to see him at age 38 fight some no-name from Australia in Australia, just for the $.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) July 2, 2017

Manny Pacquiao fights on ESPN tonight and nobody cares: https://t.co/HUV0kosMq3 pic.twitter.com/VumuntQsaL

— Deadspin (@Deadspin) July 1, 2017