From boxing legends, lifelong enthusiasts and fans (on both sides), it’s safe to say the boxing community worldwide were none too pleased about Jeff Horn’s ”win” against Manny Pacquiao.
The fight was held on July 2nd in Brisbane home to native Autralian Horn. As you can imagine, many attributed the seemingly undeserved win, atleast in part to fighting in his backyard.
The hashtag #PacquiaoHorn, received massive global pick up in little over a day, seeing hundreds of tweets, memes and reactions, little in defence of the decision.
Let’s start with the credible
Clips of famed boxing commentator Teddy Atlas displeasure made rounds
"You don't give everybody a trophy for trying hard!" Such disrespect for a legend like Manny Pacquiao. #PacquiaoHorn pic.twitter.com/eWu9S89sPq
— Nowshad Khaleque (@NowshadKhaleque) July 2, 2017
First Take’s Steven A Smith too
Some didn’t think the gap was too wide
It was close. Competitive. But manny edged it out for me. I had him up by one point.
— marcos villegas (@heyitsmarcosv) July 2, 2017
And some even justified
Add Pacquiao-Horn to the 'close fight, not a robbery' file. Honestly feels like a fight has to be a KO1 to avoid more tired controversy.
— Tom Craze (@Box_Bet) July 2, 2017
And now on to the fans. Brace yourselves, memes are coming
When Michael Buffer said, "And NEW"……….#PacquiaoHorn pic.twitter.com/5b37FwebSz
— LakeShow_ (@kb24dagoat) July 3, 2017
Yep. Pacman totally looks like a guy who lost a fight, and Horn doesn't look like he got hit by a bus. #PacquiaoHorn pic.twitter.com/urev2gotgC
— Bryan Ratliff (@hoof_hearted42) July 2, 2017
Aaaaand I'm done with boxing. #PacquiaoVsHorn #PacquiaoHorn pic.twitter.com/sNPqbSNqdJ
— Dora (@itsme_dora) July 2, 2017
Can we have another Steve Harvey moment? #MannyPacquiao #PacquiaoHorn pic.twitter.com/rzFJpS5p8y
— JSTRJROU (@jstrjrou) July 2, 2017
[node:media_embed_8]
While if you asked him, Horn would probably say holding the belt is well worth it, but the Autralian champion has been under massive fire. Reportedly receiving over 2000 hate posts and over 7000 antagonistic comments on his Facebook page.
Following his loss to Floyd Mayweather, the Filipino boxing legend had come off a back to back wins against Timothy Bradley and undefeated (at the time) Jessie Vargas. He’s beat some of the best in the business in Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton. Juan Manuel Marquez.
Many beleived a prolonged streak would perhaps re-energize conversations about a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, who’ll be coming out of retirement for a crossover fight against MMA champion Conor McGregor this August.