Pinoy netizens turned to Twitter to express both satisfaction and disappointment over the ruling of the World Organzation (WBO) that Sarangani Rep. and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao should have won his controversial fight against Timothy Bradley.
According to a report of Reuters, the WBO on Wednesday has also recommended a re-match between the fighters who fought in Las Vegas in the United States on June 9 (June 10 in the Philippines).
American Bradley won a split decision at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on June 10 that prompted disbelief from the sporting world and had many calling the outcome corrupt.
The WBO met with five international judges to evaluate video of the match and they unanimously scored the fight in favor of Pacquiao, though they do not have power to overturn the initial ruling and the result will still stand.
Pacquiao has indicated that he would prefer a rematch over Bradley forfeiting the belt, according to Bob Arum, the promoter for both fighters.
Not surprised
Meanwhile, in a report of the Agence France Presse, the 33-year-old Pacquiao said by phone from his home in the southern Philippines, “I hope with this ruling the public’s faith in boxing would be restored.”
“I was not surprised by the WBO ruling. I knew that I won, so did the whole world. But that is already over and I am now focusing on the next fight.”
He said he and his promoter Bob Arum would discuss his next move in a Los Angeles meeting set for next week, but remained coy on who would be his next opponent.
“We will soon find out who I will fight next,” he said, when asked if he was aiming for a rematch against US fighter Bradley.
A possible rematch?
On Twitter, some people wondered about the belt, a possible rematch and even the bets placed after the revelation:
Knight Owl: ?Pacquiao won but the decision can?t be overturned ? ? ? What a bummer!?
earl leifr erikson: ?#WBO should declare Manny Pacquiao is the real winner and bring back his Welterweight Title. Everyone knows who really won the fight.?
G2: ?I can?t believe they won?t just vacate the belt. #Pacquiao?
Vincent Roy Yap: ?Looks like WBO will force a Pacquiao-Bradley rematch.?
Others were just glad that Pacquiao was declared the winner:
hannahechiverri: ?It?s official? Pacquiao won! Yey!?
Mario Sun, Jr.: ?So Pacquiao won the fight? It?s better to be late than never. Congrats pacman.?
Many celebrities disappointed
Meanwhile, according to an earlier report of The Filipino Reporter, many celebrities also expressed their disappointment over Pacquiao’s loss.
In her official Twitter account, ?American Idol? runner-up Jessica Sanchez congratulated Bradley, but she said that she is upset about the results.
?Congrats to the new winner but I?m still really upset about the results :(? she tweeted.
Sanchez sang the American national anthem ahead of the Pacquiao-Bradley fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Judges scored the fight 113-115, 115-113 and 115-113 to award a split decision and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown to Bradley.
Justin Timberlake said: ?I cannot believe what I just saw…Please tell me they read that decision wrong… #Rigged?
Timberlake added that ?boxing was RUINED tonight for me.?
Chris Daughtry, for his part, said ?Bradley did NOT deserve that win!!!! This is a disgrace!?
Daughtry added that he cannot believe the results because ?Pacquiao totally owned that fight.?
Khlo? Kardashian said: ?The stats don?t add up to the decision made. This is crazy! Can I really get my money back now?? – with reports from Reuters, AFP, The Filipino Reporter, VVP, GMA News
