Brisbane, Australia ? If the punch stats were to be based as gauge, Manny Pacquiao should have been declared winner over challenger Jeff Horn before a roaring crowd of over 51,000 at Suncorp Stadium.
According to ?compubox? numbers, Pacquiao threw a total of 573 punches and landed 182 for 32 percent. The bruising Horn had more punches thrown at 625 and connected a measly 92 for a lowly 15 percent.
In the power punches department, Pacquiao also got the edge by throwing 380 and landing 123 for 32 percent and Horn had more with 428 and connected 73 for 17 percent.
Pacquiao also got the better in jabs (193-59 for 31 percent) over Horn (197-19 for ten percent).
This is probably the reason why Pacquiao later told a few reporters that he should have been awarded the verdict even if he had told the audience during the interview that he has no issues with the unanimous decision.
?For me, we won the fight,? he said. ?It?s clear naman kahit i-review mo ang fight.?
Even many of the blows that Horn unleashed, he said, should not have been credited, stressing that he blocked them all.
?I respect the decision,? said Pacquiao, who now has lost four of his last nine fights, when interviewed in the ring minutes after absorbing his seventh loss in 68 fights.
Pacquiao also expressed his desire to regain the title from Horn and mentioned the Philippines as an alternate venue to stage the rematch that is provided for in the fight contract that the two sides agreed on.
However, Brisbane has the priority in holding a second meeting between Pacquiao and Horn and the Queensland State Government will again be at the forefront in making it happen given its resources.
