Jeff Horn defeats Manny Pacquiao: 'Ridiculous' decision blasted by US

Manny Pacquiao vs. Jeff Horn. Photo / www.photosport.co.nz

By Alex Blair

Nobody in the boxing world thought Jeff Horn would be leaving Suncorp Stadium a champion.

The Aussie boxer went into the fight as the overwhelming underdog, facing the near-impossible task of stealing Manny Pacquiao's welterweight belt. He started strong, landing a number of brutal combinations on the Filipino legend before sustaining a hefty cut to the eye.

Pacquiao looked to have Horn's measure in the ninth round, prompting referee Mark Nelson to warn the Aussie he'd be ending the fight if he didn't recover. "You've had enough," he said. "Show me something in this round or I'm stopping the fight."

But Horn prevailed, fighting through a barrage of Pacquiao's punches before sending the fight to a decision. Then it all hit the fan.

Horn was announced as the world's newest welterweight champion as a storming Brisbane crowd screamed in elation.

Rarely do blockbuster fights ending via decision escape controversy, but the fallout from Horn's shock victory was something else entirely.

Post-fight stats revealed Pacquiao almost doubled Horn's number of punches landed in a 182-92 split.

US sports media exploded at the judges' 115-113 x 2, 117-111 result immediately.

Boxing expert Teddy Atlas was fuming, claiming the 29-year-old was gifted the decision for how hard he worked as opposed to how many clean punches he threw. The 60-year-old exploded on-air after Horn's arm was raised, slamming the judges in an incredulous tirade.

"They gave a win, a huge win, to the local kid for trying hard," he yelled. "You're not supposed to get it for trying hard. You're supposed to get it for winning and I thought Pacquiao won the fight if you go by the real rules of who lands the cleaner punches."

Jeff Horn won after only landing 92 total punches, 15% of total thrown. He did more damage with headbutts, forearms, and rabbit punches

— The Fight Teacher (@handsofstone491) July 2, 2017

ESPN reporter T.J. Quinn was equally outraged, claiming Horn won because the fight was held on his home turf. "No way in hell Horn won unanimously," he tweeted. "A 117-111 card? Ridiculous. This is a hometown hit job. Manny looked old, but mostly in control."

Famous sports columnist Skip Bayless also questioned if the result had to do with the fight taking place in Brisbane.

FOX Sports reporter Dieter Kurtenbach was even more critical, labelling the fight "rigged". Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers took an almighty swipe at boxing, calling the sport a "joke".

No way in hell Horn won unanimously. A 117-111 card? Ridiculous. This is a hometown hit job. Manny looked old, but mostly in control.

— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) July 2, 2017

117-111 on one card??? What fight was that judge watching. Bradley jinx again. #UFC #

— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) July 2, 2017

Surprisingly, Pacquiao had no qualms about the result immediately after the decision, accepting the call as medical staff rushed to work on his cuts.

"That's the decision of the judges, I respect that," he said.

When asked if he'd be returning later in the year for a rematch, the former world champion replied: "Absolutely, no problem."

Horn called out out boxing immortal Floyd Mayweather in a bizarre post-fight sledge, asking the 40-year-old - who is preparing to fight UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor in August - if he wanted "the walking stick or gloves" before telling him to "come have a real fight".