Pacquiao’s never been known as a dirty fighter.

Padilla even said that the hideous cut near Hussein’s left eye wasn’t caused by a legitimate blow but by a deliberate headbutt by Pacquiao.

Wait a second.

Hmmm…

Well, I was there that October night in 2000 at the Ynares Sport Centre.

I don’t believe Pacquiao butted Hussein. Pacquiao’s never been known as a dirty fighter.

He was butted by the late Agapito Sanchez and elbowed and hit low and never did he attempt to retaliate.

Marco Antonio Barrera also did employ dirty tricks against him but not even once did Pacquiao try to get even with the Mexican.

Aside from aiding Pacquiao in the fourth canto, Padilla said he also had a hand in the decision of the ring doctor to finally intervene in the tenth.

At that time, Pacquiao was already going after Hussein like a cheetah on a tired and wounded gazelle.

It was crystal-clear that Pacquiao had shaken off the cobwebs and had gotten Hussein’s number.

Well, the belief that Padilla assisted Pacquiao that night is a well-known anecdote in the local fight game.

No longer news to me.

If you ask the old-timers, many of whom were around that night, they would all probably admit Padilla’s claims.

But what the heck?

Would that tarnish Pacquiao’s reputation and chances of not making the Hall of Fame someday?

He’s still an all-time great to me and belongs up there with the names of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson and Joe Louis.

‘Nuff said.