Manny Pacquiao, Nedal Hussein talk of exhibition fight amid Carlos Padilla, Jr. controversy

Manny Pacquiao and Nedal Hussein have talked about holding an exhibition match amid the controversy stirred by Carlos Padilla Jr.'s comments about their fight back in 2000.

In an episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," the two retired boxers reunited via a zoom call and shared their thoughts on the referee's claim that he helped Pacquiao win their bout 22 years ago.

Padilla said he prolonged the count when Pacquiao got knocked down and ruled a headbutt as a punch.

"It's Carlos Padilla's fault. He is the one that's to blame and his big mouth," Hussein said.

"If he did something wrong on his part during that fight, he should quiet and shut up. But now, he's revealed it to the people. That's now his responsibility, not ours," Pacquiao agreed.

Despite the issue, Hussein said he has no hard feelings towards Pacquiao.

"I'm a big fan of Manny. All boxers have respect for the other boxer," he said. "Maybe we'll do an exhibition one day."

Hussein has not been in the ring since 2007, but hearing about Pacquiao doing an exhibition match gave him an idea.

"If there's a challenge, I'd love to do it against Manny," he said.

Pacquiao, for his part, said he is open to do it in Sydney, Australia where Hussein resides.

Meanwhile, the WBC has formed a special panel to look into Padilla's statements about the Pacquiao-Hussein match.

Pacquiao said he reviewed the match himself after hearing about the issue and saw nothing wrong with what happened.

Hussein, however, said he was frustrated with Padilla during the fight because of his biased officiating.

According to boxing analyst Quinito Henson, he reviewed the fight and did not see any anomaly.

Henson said, "A long count no longer can happen in modern boxing. In the 2000s, meron na tayong knockdown timekeeper."

Padilla's daughter, Suzy Tuano, appealed for consideration in a letter to the WBC, saying that the statement of the 88-year-old Hall of Famer might have been misinterpreted.

"He does not need controversies at this very late stage in his life. I know I may sound biased being the eldest child of six, but I believe that through his legacy, he has proven his worth and we, his family, would appreciate it if people respected his contributions to the boxing community he so loved, by giving him some well deserved consideration," she said.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News