It was initially thought a mismatch, another easy leg of the great Manny Pacquiao’s (59-7-2, 38 KOs) retirement tour, but after twelve rounds it seems no one gave Jeff Horn (17-0-1, 11 KOs) the script as he controversially outpointed the Filipino by scores of 117-111, 115-113, 115-113 in front of a 55,000+ at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, on Sunday afternoon.

It was a major upset which no one, including myself, thought possible, but the Australian started strongly with a point to prove.

A cut over the eye of Horn in the third would be followed by Pacquiao who sported one along the hairline following an unintentional headbutt in the sixth and again in the seventh.

By the Midpoint of the contest, Pacquiao it seemed had figured his man out, an onslaught ensued which came to its climax in the ninth, Pacquiao battering the Australian, so much so that it had the referee Mark Nelson telling Horn he had to “show me something” in round ten or he would stop it.

The fight went the distance but would bring with it fresh controversy as Horn was adjudged the winner much to the joy of his on watching countrymen/women.

“I didn’t expect [him to be] that tough,” Pacquiao said after the fight as he accepted the verdict. “It’s Ok. Part of the game. That’s the decision of the judges. I respect that.”

Horn and Pacquiao each said they were willing to fight again in a rematch.

“Bring it on,” Horn said.

“Absolutely. No problem,” Pacquiao said.