SPORTS
8 | July 2017
BOXING
I ACCEPT
JUDGES’
VERDICT
PACQUIAO LOSES WORLD BOXING
CROWN TO HORN BY UNANIMOUS
- BUT CONTROVERSIAL - DECISION
MARCO SELORIO was there to cover the
title fight. Here is the way he saw it:
RINGSIDE VIEW: Manny Pacquiao, left, in red-and-blue trunks, Jeff Horn
in black-and-orange.
Photo: MARCO ANDRE SELORIO
THE boxing world turned upside down with a controversial decision that
crowned underdog Australian challenger Jeff Horn with the WBO wel-
terweight crown at the expense of global boxing icon Manny ‘PacMan’
Pacquiao in the “Battle of Brisbane” last Sunday, July 2, 2017.
Both fighters went the distance, but the three judges unanimously picked
Horn the victor.
Judges Chris Flores and Ramon Cerdan both had it at 115-113 for Horn.
The third judge Waleska Roldan scored it 117-111.for Horn.
Like a true sportsman, Pacquiao was gracious in defeat; “I accept the
judges’ decision,” he said calmly in the crowded ring when interviewed
by national television reporters.
And when asked if he was prepared to fight Horn in a rematch he re-
plied just as calmly: “Absolutely.”
But it was a hometown decision that did not sit well with the Pacquiao
camp.
A rematch is mandatory but promoter Bob Arum said that was all up to
Pacquiao if he wanted to fight again.
Horn, on the other hand, said he was willing to fight Pacquiao in the
Philippines if was up for it.
The punch statistics showed that Pacquiao connected significantly more
punches, as the Filipino landed 32% (182/573 punches), while Horn hit
15%
(92/625
punches). wearing the Philippine Ice Hockey team colours. Inset: Kayla relaxed.
KAYLA
FRANCHESCA
After the fight, Horn was visibly bruised and battered with a big above
his right eye, while Pacquiao was left with only a few cuts on his fore-
‘
Are you ready
to fight Horn
in a rematch,
Manny?
Absolutely.
GOLF
BASKETBALL
Keogh wins 22nd
Kalayaan Cup
By RIC
DE VERA
PRESCILA Keogh of the lower North
Shore suburb of Waverton won the
22nd PAL Kalayaan Cup golf tourna-
ment at Macquarie Links International
Golf Club on June 12, 2017, to cele-
brate the 119th anniversary of the proc-
lamation of Philippine Independence.
Keogh scored a stunning 44 points
under the stableford scoring system
using her declared handicap of 13 with
NSW Golf Club.
She was awarded the crystal glass
championship trophy, an economy-
class return airfare to Manila courtesy
of Philippine Airlines, and the privi-
lege of having her name engraved in
the perpetual trophy.
head as a result of head-butts.
There was an international outcry on social media that had many pun-
dits and analysts in disbelief.
Both boxers had the crowd on their toes from start to finish.
The bigger and younger Horn threw everything he had from the get-go,
including a couple of head butts and a low blow that clearly threw off
Pacquiao.
Even at 38 years of age, Pacquiao showed strength and speed, but he
was not the same fighter that destroyed opponents in the past.
Despite the slow start, Pacquiao heated up and delivered a barrage of
combinations that had Horn on the ropes and fighting for survival at the
9th round.
Referee Mark Nelson should have stopped the fight but somehow al-
lowed Horn to finish the round.
A record-breaking crowd of 51,025 attended the boxing event including
boxing greats Roberto Duran, Timothy Bradley, Jeff Fenech and Danny
Green.
Also there were Philippine Senator Tito Sotto and Chavit Singson.
A sea of red, blue and yellow flags filled up Suncorp Stadium as proud
Filipino fans across Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines came
out in full force to support their ageing hero.
Duco Events and Top Rank in cooperation with the Queensland Gov-
ernment were instrumental in staging this history-making world boxing
championship match. n
Keogh was also the winner of the 17th
series of this tournament in 2012, the
only woman and only two-time cham-
pion in 22 years of the Kalayaan Cup.
“Am so happy, and this time it’s 18
holes,” said an excited Prescila who
was referring to her previous win when
it was only nine holes due to heavy
rain.
Division winners were Buddy Zabat
for A with score of 41 stableford points
using his handicap of 9 with MLIGC;
Francis Bautista for B with score of 41
points using his handicap of 24 with
Tee-reffic Berdies/Puro Golf club;
Anton Andres for C with score of 40
points using his handicap of 29 with
Sydney Metro Social golf club and
Deb Adams for Ladies with score of 39
points using her declared AGU handi-
cap of 26. n
Green Sonics harvest SWBA title
ORANGE SHARKS GO DOWN, 50-41, IN AN EXCITING FINAL
Action as the
hustling Sonics
dazzle Sharks from
the opening buzzer
to the final bell.
GREEN Sonics trounced Orange
Sharks, 50-41, to win the 2017
Autumn Season championship of
the South West Basketball Asso-
ciation (SWBA) at the Fairfield
Community Centre courts on
Saturday, July 1, 2017.
Purple Vikings beat the Black
Mambas to finish on third place.
The Sonics showed their superi-
ority through the game and lead-
ing on the scoreboard from start
to finish.
Most Valuable Player of the
final was Kenneth Ong, of the
Sonics.
The Sportsmanship Award with
the Allan Espinosa,of the Blue
Eagles.
Winner of the Three-Point
Shootout Challenge was of Len-
non Tan of White Thunder.
Picked in a ‘Mythical Team’ of
the SWBA were Louie Caluag of
Sonics; Luigi Vella of the Kings;
Thomas of the Hawks; Josh De
Leon of the Mambas; and Gian
Jan Mendoza of the Mambas. n