BY JOEL CALAMBA ESCOL, Managing Editor
MDNN International – The Australian boxer Nedal “Skinny” Hussein whom Manny Pacquiao defeated via a 10-round technical knockout in 2000 has allegedly called the international referee Carlos Padilla ‘nothing more than a criminal.’
This after the Aussie boxer reviewed his fight with the Filipino ring icon and former senator Manny Pacquiao and discovered that the referee, indeed, prolonged his counting when the Pacman got knocked down, purposely to aid him to recover.
“That’s what he is (referring to Padilla). He did a criminal act. He violated and manipulated the rules. He should be accountable for what he did,” Hussein said Thursday in an interview with CNN Philippines’ Sports Desk
Pacquiao got dazy and his eyes cross-eyed after he was ‘floored’ by the Aussie fighter in the 4th round of their 12-round professional boxing match, held at Ynarez Center in Antipolo, Philippines, on October 14, 2000.
Hussein also told the media: “I have nothing against Manny Pacquiao. I’m a big fan of Manny. I think he’s done amazing for the sport. I’m not claiming that I’m the winner, that I want the decision to be reversed. Manny is a victim in this as well. All I want is for the referees and judges to be held accountable for what they do.”
In an interview posted on Youtube and reviewed by Mindanao Daily News, Padilla reportedly claimed there were people who allegedly pressured him to make Pacquiao win to pave the way for his first appearance in an international boxing arena in the US.
But the international referee also did not name the persons he mentioned in the video who reportedly told him to help Pacman win in the fight.
NO BASIS
But World Boxing Association referee and judge Silvestre Abainza has quickly dismissed allegations that there were anomalies that transpired during the Pacquiao-Hussein boxing match in the Philippines 22 years ago.
Abainza said that in professional boxing events, a ringside knockdown timekeeper officially designated by the authority, starts the count immediately after a fighter is knocked down and the referee only picks it up after leading the other fighter to a neutral corner. In that way, Abainza added, extending the count is not possible.
Abainza said the Pacman got up at the count of five. The Filipino ring icon would still win the fight, according to the WBA judge, as he was ahead in scoring on three judges’ scorecards.
Meanwhile, Manny Pacquiao has dismissed allegations he cheated in his 2000 fight against Australia’s boxing champ Nedal Hussein, held on October 14, 2000 at Ynarez Sports Center in Antipolo.
The country’s pride was awarded a 10th round technical knockout win against Hussein which paved the way to join in international fights against top caliber opponents in his weight class.
“Hindi man daya. Pinaburan lang tayo, pabor lang siguro syempre home court. As a boxer ginawa ko lang naman yung tama,” Pacquiao said during training in General Santos City.
“Ako naman boxer lang ako. Ginagawa ko lang yung trabaho ko sa taas ng ring. That’s his problem, not mine,” Pacquiao said apparently pointing on international boxing referee Carlos Padilla.
Padilla, who was the official referee during the Pacquiao-Hussein fight many years ago, allegedly said he helped the Pacman win against a stronger opponent which knocked out the Filipino champ in the fourth round during their 12-round boxing fight.
But Padilla’s daughter immediately corrected her father’s allegations, saying he was only misinterpreted by some members of the media who made those weird revelations.
