TACLOBAN CITY — Stunned, shocked, frustrated.
This was how Visayan fans reacted to the upset loss of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao to Australian boxer Jeff Horn.
Some called for a rematch.
Michael Esteban, 34, a cook, could not believe that Pacquiao lost the match in a unanimous decision by the three judges.
“As an avid fan of Manny, I could not really believe that he lost to Horn,” Esteban said. “I really thought that he would win the fight.”
Esteban, who watched the bout via a live telecast at the canteen where he works, said he had expected Pacquiao to win because the Filipino boxing champion had more experienced and was better “several times over” Horn.
Other spectators at the same venue were so shocked that they stood still for a moment after the match.
“This is a nightmare for us Pacquiao fans,” Lemuel Mortes said.
Despite of the stunning loss, they said they would remain Pacquiao fans.
Mortes said, however, that would be up to the boxer and senator if he would finally hang up his gloves after his defeat.
In Tagbilaran City in Bohol, Lito Alagadmo, 40, said he was frustrated that at the end of 12 rounds, Horn was declared the new WBO welterweight world champion.
“Walay lami kay pildi si Pacman,” he said.
(“I’m disheartened because Pacquiao lost.”)
Alagadmo was all for a rematch.
“Mas nice kung magrematch sila para maila kung kinday hawud sa ring,” he said.
(“It would be nice if they would have a rematch so we would know who is really better in the ring.”)
Rhudy Mendoza, 38, said, however, said he wouldn’t want to see a rematch.
“Absolutely, I prefer Pacman-Mayweather,” he said. “That fight will be exciting than this.”
Rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of Boholano fans watching the bout.
At least 100 residents in this city flocked to the corner of Maria Clara Street and CPG Avenue to watch the fight for free.
Electronics shops like Geresonic and Diccion provided small TV screens for a live airing of the fight.
There was a heavy downpour during the fourth round. Alagadmo and other fans looked for cover. Some fans, however, prefered to get soaked rather than to miss every single detail of the fight.
The rain lasted for about 10 minutes. When it stopped, fans flocked to the area again.
The Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) recorded a zero crime rate from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the fight.
According to Senior Supt. Felipe Natividad, BPPO director, the police stations in Bohol had not received any reported incident in the last four hours while the fight was ongoing.
In Iloilo City, boxing fans were also unconvinced that Horn defeated Pacquiao.
“At the very least, it should have been a close score but not a unanimous decision and a wide margin (in favor of Horn),” Rommel Espinal said.
Jossie Cillador, a resident of Pavia town in Iloilo, lamented that the match was bloody.
“He [Horn] fought dirty because he kept on locking Pacquiao’s neck with his arm,” she said.
She said the Filipino boxing champion should have knocked out Horn in the ninth round when the Australian boxer appeared wobbling “so that there would be no doubt who won the match.”
Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines (left) clinches with Jeff Horn of Australia during their WBO World Welterweight title fight in Brisbane, Australia, Sunday, July 2, 2017. Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight world title to Jeff Horn in a stunning, unanimous points decision in a Sunday afternoon bout billed as the Battle of Brisbane in front of more than 50,000 people. (Photo by TERTIUS PICKARD / AP)
Many Ilonggos were glued to their television sets in homes and in restaurants which offered buffet lunch packages for guests who watched the match.
Pacquaio supporters loudly cheered when the Filipino boxer appeared to have the upperhand, especially in the ninth and later rounds.
But there was a silence when the winner was announced.
In , the crowds that gathered at public venues had expected Pacquiao to defeat Horn. They were also hugely disappointed.
At the Bacolod Arts and Youth Center in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, a crowd of about 5,000 had expected Pacquiao to be announced the winner. Hearing that Horn was the winner, the crowd quickly dispersed.
Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, a close friend of Pacquiao, said: “I cannot believe Manny lost. I cannot understand why it was a unanimous decision. It was a close fight, which we thought was not supposed to be the case, but I still maintain that Manny won it.”
“We must salute Manny for his humility when he said: ‘He deserves it’,” he said.
“It was a close fight but I had Pacquiao ahead especially after last closing rounds,” Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez, said.
Manuel Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers’ Federation of the Philippines Inc., said: “I feel terribly bad.” /atm