Political allies laud Pacquiao, cry foul over loss to Horn

Manny Pacquiao, right, of the Philippines and Jeff Horn of Australia fight during their WBO World welterweight title bout in Brisbane, Australia, Sunday, July 2, 2017. Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight world title to Horn in a stunning, unanimous points decision in the Sunday afternoon bout billed as the Battle of Brisbane in front of more than 50,000 people. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)

Allies of Senator Manny Pacquiao on Sunday lamented the upset loss of the Filipino boxing champion to Jeff Horn, who won the WBO welterweight title in what was called the Battle of Brisbane.

In a statement, Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, the House of Representatives appropriations chairman, even said it was Pacquiao who clearly won the fight.

Pacquiao’s loss drew negative reactions on social media, especially because the final scorecard shows he landed more punches and jabs against the new title holder Horn.

“I’m sure everyone will agree that Manny Pacquiao deserved to win that fight,” Nograles said.

He said towards the end of the fight, Horn was visibly hurt that the referee even wanted to stop the fight.

“At one point toward the final rounds, the referee even warned Jeff Horn that he was going to stop the fight. Horn was visibly hurt and was not as strong going into the final rounds,” Nograles said.

Nograles said Pacquiao would always be the people’s champion, and urged the public to continue supporting the boxing champion now politician Pacquiao who has brought pride to the country.

READ: Palace lauds Pacquiao for bringing honor to PH despite loss to Horn

“Manny has been in this situation before. Let us unite and rally behind our People’s Champ. And let us prove once again that the grit, discipline and spirit of the Filipino cannot easily be overcome. Mabuhay ka Manny!” Nograles said.

The congressman’s brother Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Rep. Jericho Nograles called for a rematch after seeing the statistics that showed Pacquiao landing more jabs and punches, which contradicted judges’ scorecard favoring Horn.

“What an upset! Punch statistics show a convincing Pacquiao lead but judge scorecards say opposite. We want a rematch!” Nograles said.

Senator Sonny Angara on Twitter tweeted a cryptic reaction to his colleagues upset loss: “Rematches are good for business #justsayin.”

Rematches are good for business #justsayin

— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) July 2, 2017

On his official statement, Angara said Pacquiao continues to make the country proud despite losing the title to Horn.

“Taas-noo lang, Sen. Manny. You fought a good fight. Win or lose, Filipinos will always be proud of you, of what you have done for the sports, and for the whole country. In victory and in defeat, we have celebrated and cried with you. We are proud of you Sen. Pacquiao!” Angara said.

In a statement, Senator Nancy Binay said Pacquiao only proved that he can battle it out even with the younger Australian boxer, and that he can be graceful even in defeat.

“Ipinakita ni Manny na kaya pa niyang makipagsabayan sa loob ng ring laban sa mga mas batang kalaban kung kaya’t  patuloy pa rin tayong naniniwala sa kanyang kakayahan,” Binay said.

(Manny showed to us that he can keep up inside the ring with a challenger who is younger than him. That’s why we continue to believe in him and his capability.)

“Manny showed us that we remain graceful in defeat, never losing hope, and striving to get back up on our feet against adversity. Mabuhay ka Pambansang Kamao! Mabuhay ang Filipino!” she added.

Senator Joel Villanueva said the country would continue to be proud of Pacquiao for a close fight against Horn.

“We join the entire nation in congratulating Sen. Manny Pacquiao for fighting a good fight. We are still and will always be proud of you for bringing so much pride and honor to all Filipinos around the world. You have exemplified strength and courage throughout the battle, truly one of the greatest fighters of this generation. You will always be our People’s Champ! Mabuhay ang ating Pambansang Kamao!” Villanueva said.

Senator Cynthia Villar said Pacquiao despite his loss remains “the greatest boxer of our time.”

“In the heart of many Filipinos, Pacquiao is a true champion who has given so much honor and pride to Filipinos around the world. His passion for his craft will continue to inspire our youth to aspire for greater heights despite the odds,” Villar said. JE