Pacquiao Calls Out Referee and Judges After Shocking Jeff Horn Defeat: ‘I Was Set Up!’

Manny Pacquiao’s stunning loss to Jeff Horn in July 2017 left fans and analysts around the world in shock. The Australian underdog, Horn, took home the WBO welterweight title in a controversial unanimous decision that many felt was unfair. Pacquiao, who had dominated the sport for over two decades, found himself on the receiving end of what he believed was a “set-up” orchestrated by incompetent officials. His furious reaction to the outcome of the fight and the performance of both the referee and the judges turned this contest into a topic of global debate.

The Fight That Shocked the World

On the night of the fight, Pacquiao entered the ring as the heavy favorite, with a record of 59 wins and 6 losses. Horn, who was a relatively unknown contender, was expected to give Pacquiao a tough fight, but few believed that the Australian could actually defeat the legendary Filipino boxer. However, as the rounds progressed, Horn proved to be a much tougher opponent than anticipated.

The fight was fought at a frenetic pace, with Horn applying relentless pressure on Pacquiao from the start. He was able to land some solid punches and make it difficult for Pacquiao to establish a rhythm. In contrast, Pacquiao’s punches seemed to lack their usual power, and although he scored several clean shots, the aggression and pressure from Horn were clearly making a difference.

Many believed that Pacquiao had done enough to win, with the fight being closely contested but leaning in favor of the Filipino. Yet, when the judges’ scorecards were read, the unthinkable happened: Horn was declared the winner via unanimous decision. The scores read 117-111, 115-113, and 115-113 in favor of Horn, a decision that left many in the boxing world scratching their heads.

Pacquiao’s Reaction to the Loss

Pacquiao was visibly upset after the result was announced. In the post-fight interview, the Filipino champion didn’t hold back his feelings. He accused both the referee and the judges of being incompetent and claimed that the whole scenario had been orchestrated against him.

“The referee wasn’t competent, and I felt I was set up,” Pacquiao said in his fiery post-fight comments. “It was horrible.” The accusations from Pacquiao were sharp and pointed, especially directed at the referee, who had allowed Horn’s aggressive tactics to go unchecked. Pacquiao was particularly upset with the referee’s handling of Horn’s rough tactics, including frequent headbutts and excessive clinching. Throughout the fight, Pacquiao appeared to be frustrated by the referee’s reluctance to penalize Horn for these actions, which many felt were borderline illegal.

This sense of injustice was compounded by the scoring of the judges. Pacquiao expressed disbelief that the judges could score the fight in Horn’s favor, particularly with the clean shots and combinations that Pacquiao landed throughout the contest. “It was just terrible,” he said. “I thought I won the fight clearly, but they gave it to him.”

Was It a Set-Up?

Pacquiao’s comment about being “set up” resonated with many who questioned the legitimacy of the decision. The loss to Horn raised suspicions about whether the judges and officials had been influenced by external factors, such as the desire to promote a new champion in a boxing market where Pacquiao was already a well-established name. Horn, after all, was seen as a relatively unknown fighter going into the contest, and his victory instantly put him in the limelight.

Some fans and analysts speculated that the fight had been set up to give Horn a career-defining win, allowing him to take Pacquiao’s title and make his name on the world stage. Pacquiao himself seemed to entertain this theory, suggesting that the decision may have been influenced by forces beyond the ring.

While these accusations remain speculative, the controversy surrounding the fight became a topic of heated discussion. Many pointed to the fact that Pacquiao, despite his legendary career, had been unable to convince the judges of his dominance, and this only fueled further anger from fans who felt that the result was unjust.

The Role of the Referee and the Judges

One of the key aspects of Pacquiao’s complaints centered on the performance of the referee. Throughout the fight, Horn employed rough tactics, including aggressive headbutts that left Pacquiao with a cut above his eye. Pacquiao, who was known for his speed and fluid combinations, struggled to assert his style in the ring, in part due to Horn’s unrelenting pressure and physicality.

However, the referee did not step in to penalize Horn for these actions, despite several instances where Pacquiao seemed to be at a disadvantage due to Horn’s actions in the clinch and on the inside. Pacquiao’s frustration boiled over when he felt that the referee was not doing enough to protect him or enforce the rules fairly.

Meanwhile, the judges’ scorecards added further controversy. Many in the boxing community felt that the scores were inconsistent with the fight’s actual flow. Pacquiao had landed cleaner, more accurate punches, and had shown superior skill and experience throughout the bout. However, the judges seemed to score the fight in Horn’s favor, citing his relentless pressure and the frenetic pace of the fight as determining factors.

The Aftermath and Public Reaction

The reaction to the decision was swift and intense. Fans of Pacquiao were furious, taking to social media and forums to voice their displeasure with what they saw as a clear injustice. Many called for a rematch, believing that Pacquiao had been robbed of his title and that the real winner had not been crowned in the ring.

On the other hand, Jeff Horn received an outpouring of support from Australian fans and media, who celebrated his victory as a monumental achievement in Australian boxing. However, even Horn admitted that the decision was controversial, and many felt that he had not fully earned the win based on his performance alone.

Looking Forward

In the years following the fight, Pacquiao continued his career with several notable victories, but the Horn loss remained a blemish on his otherwise stellar record. For Pacquiao, the defeat served as a painful reminder of the political and financial forces that can sometimes influence the sport of boxing.

Whether or not Pacquiao was truly “set up” remains a matter of speculation. However, one thing is clear: the loss to Jeff Horn will be remembered as one of the most controversial decisions in modern boxing. The accusations of incompetence and unfair treatment from Pacquiao only highlight the pressure and intensity that elite athletes face in the ring, as well as the complex dynamics between fighters, officials, and promoters.