Boxing: WBO recount vindicates Jeff Horn victory over Manny Pacquiao for title

Aussie Jeff Horn jabs at Manny Pacquiao during their WBO welterweight championship bout. Photo/Photosport

The World Boxing Organisation has just released its results of a re-score of the controversial Manny Pacquiao v Jeff Horn welterweight title fight in Brisbane - and the Aussie won.

A WBO statement declared that Horn won seven rounds to Pacquiao's five and was a rightful winner. Five independent judges reviewed the fight, watching without sound, and delivered their decision via an analysis outlined below.

"The Jeff Horn v Manny Pacquiao bout results were controversial, causing disputes amongst fans," the WBO statement read. "For this reason, transparency is so important.

"The WBO does not have power to reverse the Judges decision based on discretion, as it can only be revoked when fraud or a violation of law has occurred, which is not relevant in this case.

"Based on this, five (5) anonymous, competent judges from different countries were asked to watch the bout without sound.

"Then, the independent results were tabulated to ascertain clearly the rounds each fighter won, using an average scale based on 60, 80 and 100 percent. To determine the winner of each round, three out of the five officials have to be in agreement.

"Upon the analysis, the findings stated that Pacquiao won the third, the eighth and ninth by 100%, the fifth round was won by 80% and the 11th round by 60%. Horn won the first, sixth and 12th rounds by 100%, the second, fourth and seventh by 80%, and then, the 10th round by 60%.

"From the results, it can be established that Pacquiao won five rounds, while Horn won seven rounds.

"The next step of the analysis was to combine the independent judges with the bout judges to find the percentage agreement by round.

"Upon doing this analysis, the findings of the judges stated that Pacquiao won the third and ninth by 100%, the eighth round was won by 87.5%, no rounds were won by 75%, the fifth round by 62.5%, and the 10th and 11th were even rounds.

"On the other hand, the judges' findings stated that Horn won the first, sixth and 12th rounds by 100%, he won the fourth and the seventh by 87.5%, the second was won by 75%, none were won by 62.5%; and the even rounds were the 10th and the 11th.

"The analytical method utilised was also used in the decision of Algieri-Provodnikov and Paquiao-Bradley. Based on this analysis, Jeff Horn was the winner of the bout."

The re-score occured, after the Philippines government requested a review of the fight.

Pacquiao, a Philippines senator, backed the call despite initially being gracious in defeat.

"I love boxing, and I don't wanna see it dying because of unfair decision and officiating," Pacquiao, 38, said in a statement issued by his office.

"I had already accepted the decision, but as a leader and, at the same time, fighter, I have the moral obligation to uphold sportsmanship, truth and fairness in the eyes of the public."

Horn and Pacquiao are eyeing a rematch, as was written into the contract in the event of the Filipino legend being beaten.

The bout may take place in November and due to Brisbane's unpredictable weather, may be held at the 15,000 seat Brisbane Entertainment Centre, rather than again at 52,000-seat Suncorp Stadium, according to a Channel 7 report.

Horn has been philosophical about the controversy, not allowing it to dampen his triumph.

"There will always be a backlash, where people say I got lucky or whatever. There will always be the naysayers saying I didn't win the fight, but I felt like I won the fight," Horn said.

"Everyone has a right to their opinion. I'm sure I've [gained] a lot more fans over there than I've lost."