Philippines, 01 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


THE SQUARED RING: TRENDING


PhilBoxing.com




Unlike the result of his latest fight, the Manny Pacquiao of old would have easily demolished a relatively unknown but aggressive challenger in Jeff Horn. But gone is the Manny Pacquiao of old, and at six months before turning 39, what many thought was an easy fight -- turned out to be another devastating loss for the Filipino icon.

What is perceived as a mismatch turned into an entertaining fight between two fighters, despite the big difference in their resume, their stature and yes-- their age.

The aftermath of Pacquiao vs. Horn will once again place the method of judging under scrutiny. Boxing is a subjective sport minus a stoppage. And because of that it will never be perfect science but a 117-111 card in favor of a badly bruised Horn deserves an explanation to the millions who saw it otherwise.

This may be perceived as another black eye for boxing but there is no denying that Pacquiao vs. Horn once again brought boxing to the international spotlight.

This latest Pacquiao fight also gave many of us another reason to rant, to vent, to cry foul and scream in protest via our many social media accounts of what is perceived as another robbery in Pacquiao's great career-- the robbery Down Under.

The Battle of Brisbane was a trending topic in Twitter before, during and after the fight. Hashtags like #PacquiaHorn, #MannyPacquiao, #Brisbane #PacMan were in its Top 5 most discussed Sunday while Jeff Horn grabbed the top spot on Facebook.

Boxing being back on network TV is also a cause to celebrate for many fans who have been victims of lackluster and expensive Pay-Per-Views. Many will complain (and rightfully so) if this fight is once again offered via PPV given that Horn is unknown outside of Brisbane, but no one will protest if you put Pacquiao's name on regular cable, regardless of the opponent.

Boxing will never prosper when you charge consumers close to a hundred dollars and then not deliver. (Remember Mayweather-Pacquiao or Canelo-Chavez?)

ESPN delivered an entertaining fight, with a superstar name, a giant stadium as a venue, an international feel and yes, a dramatic ending to its viewers worldwide.

Lastly, despite pronouncements that 'Boxing is Dead' -- the 51,052 who trooped to the SunCorp Stadium on a Sunday afternoon thought the opposite.

Pacquiao vs. Horn is the second biggest attended boxing fight of 2017, next to the 90,000 who watched the heavyweight match between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium last April.

It also is now Pacquiao's most attended bout, topping his two previous outings at the massive Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas against Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito in 2010.

A blockbuster attendance, an entertaining and dramatic boxing fight on regular TV, a trending topic on social media and a script for a possible rematch -- That's a score in my book.

Now, if we can only fix judging.

You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and @Freemason910 on Twitter.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • ‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.