Pacquiao says Brisbane decision taints reputation of boxing as a sport

Manny Pacquiao on Monday said the results of "Battle of Brisbane" tainted the reputation of boxing as a sport.

In an interview with Connie Sison on Unang Balita a day after his fight with Australian boxer Jeff Horn, Pacquiao expressed disappointment with the officials involved in Sunday's bout against Horn, who won with a unanimous decision.

"Dismayado ako sa mga officials, referees, judges. Nakakasira sa imahe ng boxing na sport," Pacquiao said.

The boxer also commented on Horn's headlocks and the referee's failure to warn the Australian boxer of his infractions on top of failing to deduct points for the headlocks.

"Lagi akong gina-grab sa ulo, sinasakal," Pacquiao said. "Malaki at saka dapat wina-warningan ng referee. Saka how many times ginagawa, inulit-ulit niya. Dapat may deductions."

"And then 'yung pag accidental headbutt. 'Pag accidental headbutt 'yung nangyari, dalawang beses, dapat may deduction 'yun eh. That's the professional rules," he continued.  "Hindi marunong 'yung referee."

Pacquiao previously said he would not contest the decision and would let fans decide who really won the bout.

He and Horn expressed openness for a rematch, with Horn saying he was open to having a "Battle of Brisbane 2" while Pacquiao replied, "Oh yeah, definitely."

"Pag-uusapan, pag-uusapan 'yan," Pacquiao said on Unang Balita.

When asked if he preferred to have the rematch on Philippine soil, the senator said, "Kung maari sana."

The decision soured Assistant Coach Buboy Fernandez, who believes Pacquiao won on visual evidence alone and even advised the fighter not to trust the judge's decision.

"Kitang-kita naman po sa laban kung sino nanalo. Kahit sabihin natin na merong judge, du'n pa lang sa 3-0, ako mismo, sinabi ko mismo sa ating senador na 'wag magtiwala sa judge at tsaka sa referee," Fernandez said.

"Sabi ko, kung pwedeng hintayin nating kunin kasi mahirap na, baka maging hometown decision nila," he continued.

Fernandez said the results blindsided them as they expected the deductions from the two headbutts by Horn and various "dirty tactics" he employed during the match to play more into the judge's scorecards.

"Nagtatanungan nga kaming dalawa, habang tinatahi 'yung sugat niya, sabi niya sa akin, 'Pa'no tayo natalo?' 'Di ko nga alam,' sabi ko, 'kasi bawat round po, pinapaalala ko na lamang tayo, kaya ang gawin natin ingat na lang tayo,'" Fernandez said.

Meanwhile, former Sarangani Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao repeated that she would like her husband to retire from boxing though they have discussed the possibility of a rematch.

"Dapat na rin siyang magpahinga para kasi nga 'di naman bumabata na,"Jinkee said. "Hindi ko pa alam kasi kaninang umaga lang, pinag-usapan na rin namin 'yun."

Her husband said on Unang Balita that retirement was still not in the cards. —Rie Takumi/KG, GMA News