MANILA, Philippines ? Filipino boxing icon Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao believes the investigations being done regarding his controversial bout with Timothy Bradley Jr. is meant to restore fight fans? trust in the sport.
Pacquiao lost his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title to Bradley last June 9 via a highly controversial split decision.
The result was criticized by boxing media and derided by boxing fans worldwide. Fight fans took to social networking sites to express their dismay with the judges? decision, with many threatening to stop watching boxing following the result.
?Yung ibang mga tao, sinasabi nila na ayaw nilang manood ng boxing dahil ganoon pala ?yun. Nadidismaya sila,? Pacquiao said in a press conference in General Santos City Sunday.
#RIPBoxing and #PacShet became worldwide trending topics minutes after the decision was announced.
Because of the controversial nature of the bout, Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum requested the Nevada State Attorney General to conduct an investigation into the circumstances of the fight, especially the judges? scoring.
The Nevada State Athletic Association (NSAC) and the WBO are also reviewing the bout.
?Ang ipapa-alala natin sa boxing commission, na kailangang ibalik ?yung tiwala ng mga tao sa boxing, at pangalagaang mabuti ?yun,? Pacquiao said in an interview with Alex Santos of ABS-CBN News.
?Ginagawa lang naman nila ?yun (imbestigasyon) para hindi masira ang pangalan ng boxing, para ?yung trust ng mga tao, mga boxing fans ay nandoon pa rin, ?yung suporta nila, nandoon pa rin,? he said during the GenSan presser.
Pacquiao has asked his fans to accept his loss, even as he admitted that he was surprised with the result.
As for the ongoing investigations, Pacquiao is leaving it up to God.
?Kung ano man ang kagustuhan ng Panginoon, what we?re gonna do is kalma lang tayo, God will fight our fight,? he said.
?Kung ano ang desisyon Niya, at nadesisyon ng WBO, antayin na lang natin. Relax lang tayo at harapin ang problema,? Pacquiao added.
The WBO had admitted that they most likely won?t reverse the judges? decision, meaning Pacquiao will not be able to regain his belt.
But according to the boxer, if he had his way, he wants the WBO belt to be vacated.
?Kung baguhin man nila ?yung desisyon, mas mabuti pa ?yung belt na ?yun ay i-bakante na lang, wala ng champion,? Pacquiao said.
It was Pacquiao?s first loss since a unanimous decision setback to Mexican legend Erik Morales in 2005.
