Manny Pacquiao requests WBO to review loss to Jeff Horn

Manny Pacquiao has requested the World Boxing Organization (WBO) to take action and review his loss in the welterweight title fight against Jeff Horn, stating that he does not want to see the boxing industry "dying from an unfair and officiated decision."

Although Pacquiao has accepted his defeat against Horn in the "Battle of Brisbane", which took place on Sunday and was Horn's first world title fight, the Filipino senator said on Wednesday that as a leader and boxer, he has a moral obligation to uphold sportsmanship, truth, and justice in the eyes of the public.

The 11-time world champion cited a petition from the Games and Amusements Board of the Philippines to WBO President Francisco Valcarcel, requesting a thorough review of the referee's performance and the judges' decision in the fight, which was held outdoors in front of over 51,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium.

Pacquiao added that the WBO must take measures "to prevent the erosion of people's interest in boxing." "I love boxing and I don't want to see it die because of unfair decisions."

In his letter dated July 3rd to Valcarcel, the president of the Games and Amusements Board, Abraham Kahlil Mitra, and two other officials, the boxer expressed concern about "possible mistakes made by the referee and the three judges officiating the fight in question."

"We request a thorough review by the WBO regarding possible errors by the referee in not deducting some points and the judges in their decision, which has caused differing opinions regarding their objectivity," the statement said.

Pacquiao's trainers criticized the referee for not doing more to stop or penalize headbutts and neck holds. They mentioned statistics that showed Pacquiao, who needed stitches on two cuts sustained from headbutts, landed twice as many punches.

Among the most vocal critics of the result were ESPN commentators, who broadcasted the fight live in the United States.

All three judges awarded the victory to Horn, with the scorecard of American Waleska Roldan, 117-111, receiving the most criticism. American Chris Flores and Argentine Ramón Cerdan gave closer scores of 115-113.

Pacquiao had a rematch clause in the contract, so the 38-year-old Filipino could negotiate a bout with Horn before the end of the year.

The WBO tweeted a photo of the judges' scorecards on Sunday, and following the request for an investigation, released another statement on Wednesday indicating that "the decision of a referee or judge cannot be reversed, except in the case of fraud or violation of laws, which is not the case in Pac vs Horn."

Pacquiao entered the fight with a record of 59-6-2, but his last knockout victory was in 2009. Horn had not lost in his previous 17 fights, but had never faced a boxer with the credentials of Pacquiao.