Pacquiao still riled

CONFIRMATION from the WBO that Australian Jeff Horn won his welterweight title fight with Manny Pacquiao has received a curt response from the Filipino legend, and a hint that a rematch will be scheduled this year.

“Let the people judge for themselves. People saw what happened,” CNN Philippines quoted him saying.

“We have seen worse judgments in the past where judges manipulated results. Nothing surprises me now.”

Pacquiao relinquished his WBO welterweight championship title when underdog Horn was awarded a unanimous decision in the “Battle of Brisbane” on July 2.

“I love this sport and until the passion is gone, I will continue to fight for God, my family, my fans and my country,” Pacquiao tweeted yesterday.

Horn welcomed the WBO review news on Tuesday before boarding a plane to attend the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles overnight.

“It gives me evidence . . . that I can just use now,” he said. “Instead of saying I think I won the fight, now a heap of other people — professionally — think I won the fight.”

Filipino Games and Amusements board chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra, who was behind the call for the review, yesterday issued a statement referring to American referee Mark Nelson.

“We are grateful that WBO acted promptly on our request but no matter what review they do it will be hard to change the result as the referee didn’t call it close,” Mr Mitra said.