After the Philippines Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chucked an almighty shit-fit, the World Boxing Organisation has confirmed that it will re-score the history-making welterweight title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Brisbane bloke Jeff Horn.
In case you missed it, Horn won, in one of the biggest upsets in boxing memory. Fortunately for Horn – and every Australian who lost their shit at the incredible underdog win – the WBO aren’t going to change the result of the fight unless they find evidence of fraud in the original scoring.
The GAB is saying that the result of the fight is going to put the integrity of the sport at risk, but the WBO has responded to their outrage with a satisfyingly shady letter from organisation president Francisco Valcarcel:
“I would be very grateful if the GAB can provide any evidence indicating fraud or violation of law.“The purpose of this review is to be able to give the fans certainty of who was the winner of the bout, even though we do not have the power to reverse the decision of the judges.”
The re-score will be done by five anonymous judges, whose scores will then be tabulated. Valcarcel said, “This means that three of the five officials have to agree to determine which fighter won the round.”
Pacquiao initially said he respected the judges’ decision on Sunday, but has since joined the GAB in calling for a re-score:
“I love boxing and I don’t wanna see it dying because of unfair decision and officiating. I had already accepted the decision but as a leader and, at the same time, fighter I have the moral obligation to uphold sportsmanship, truth and fairness in the eyes of the public.”
We might take a moment to remind you that Pacquiao also reckons he has the moral obligation to tell gay people that they’re “worse than animals“, so…
The three judges of Sunday’s fight scored it 117-111, 115-113, 115-113 in Horn’s favour.
Source: News.com.au.
Image: Chris Hyde / Getty.
