Boxing phenom Manny Pacquiao put his WBO welterweight world title on the line yesterday in Brisbane, Australia. Pacquiao faced off against rising star Jeff Horn for the momentous match up. Both fighters showed their hearts inside the ring with flurries of gut wrenching strikes round after round. Ultimately the battle went the distance. However, only one boxer can be titled the WBO welterweight world champion.
Jeff Horn earned a decision victory over his opponent that has stirred a storm of controversy since the winner’s announcement. Among those in disagreement with the decision is ESPN analyst Teddy Atlas.
Ringside for the event, Teddy Atlas quickly voiced his distaste for the decision. As transcribed by MMA Mania, Atlas stated
“It’s only one of two things, it’s either incompetence or corruption. When you see 117-111, I don’t think anyone could be that incompetent. I’m sorry. If you know the sport, you watch the sport, you can’t be that incompetent. You see who’s landing clean, who’s just throwing, who’s not landing clean, who almost got knocked out, you can’t be that incompetent. So what else could it be? Corruption. Nothing else. I’m sorry. I love this sport, it’s the greatest sport in the world. It was a great day, a great night back where you guys are. It was great for the fans out there to get it on free TV, brought back to free TV where boxing belongs. It was great! It was great theater. There’s no theater like boxing. Nothing. But the decision stunk.”
