Trainer Atlas blasts Horn’s UD win: You’re not supposed to get it for trying hard
Jeff Horn, top center, of Australia celebrates after beating Manny Pacquiao, bottom second left, of the Philippines, during their WBO World welterweight title bout in Brisbane, Australia, Sunday, July 2, 2017. Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight world title to Horn in a stunning, unanimous points decision in the Sunday afternoon bout billed as the Battle of Brisbane in front of more than 50,000 people. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
Legendary trainer and boxing commentator Teddy Atlas launched a verbal maelstrom Sunday after Jeff Horn took a unanimous decision victory over Manny Pacquiao for the WBO World welterweight championship in the “Battle of Brisbane” at Suncorp Stadium.
Horn led in all three of the judges’ scorecards, 117-111, 115-113, 115-113, but Atlas would have none of it.
Sports Illustrated tweeted a couple of videos showing Atlas’ tirade.
Teddy Atlas is none too pleased with the decision pic.twitter.com/CQKtQPHImv
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 2, 2017
“They gave a trophy, a win, a huge win to Horn the local kid for trying hard,” said Atlas. “You’re not supposed to get it for trying hard. You’re supposed to get it for winning and I thought Pacquiao won the fight if you go by the rules, the real rules.”
And for Atlas, whoever “lands the cleaner punches” should be crowned the victor.
READ: Horn stuns Pacquiao for unanimous decision win
The punch stats showed clear advantages for Pacquiao, both in terms of hits and the percentage.
Pacquiao threw a total of 573 punches and landed 182 of them for a 32 percent rate while Horn, who did attempt more, went 92-of-625.
READ: Horn trainer promises ‘bloody Sunday’
Digging deeper, Horn connected on just 19 jabs while Pacquiao landed 59.
And in terms of power punches, Pacquiao had an overwhelming 123-73 advantage.
Atlas even spoke his mind when interviewing Horn as the Australian had the WBO belt strapped on his left arm.
Teddy Atlas keeping it 💯 pic.twitter.com/0ZRDs6tt9Q
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 2, 2017
“Congratulations, good effort, but I thought you lost,” said Atlas. “This guy [Pacquiao] was landing the punches, you were throwing a lot but were missing a lot. But you showed great heart, the heart of a champion, no doubt about that.”
READ: NBA players, US celebrities upset over Horn win, say Pacquiao
“Do you feel after that ninth round, a very difficult round, after that round was almost stopped, you heard the words of the referee ‘I’m going to stop this fight if you can’t do something’ and your own corner told you that.”
After Pacquiao subjected Horn to a furious beating in the ninth round, referee Mark Nelson approached the Australian in the corner and told him he’ll stop the fight if the punishment continues.
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