MANILA – The world has a new WBO Welterweight champion. 29-year-old Jeff “The Hornet” Horn (@jeffhornboxer) beat 38-year-old Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) in a 12-round bout that took place in the 52,500-seat capacity Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Twitter once again captured the historic sporting event who went the distance and generated over 500,000 Tweets (9 am PHT, 2 July – 12 pm PHT, 3 July). The peak of conversation on Twitter occurred on 1.30 pm PHT with 3,300 Tweets per minute when @jeffhornboxer was announced as the new champ.
The global event triggered conversations on Twitter, mainly because of the bout results. The judges’ unanimous decision declaring Horn as the winner did not sit well with celebrities and sports personalities alike. From Hollywood actor Samuel Jackson to the boxing champion Lennox Lewis, many shared their dismay on Twitter.
Uhhhhhhh, can U Say Bullshit??!!Manny got Fucked!!! That's the Face of a Winner??!
Sponsor— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) July 2, 2017
This is what's wrong with boxing. Horn was very game but I'm hard pressed to see how he could have won that fight by any stretch! #PacHorn
— Lennox Lewis (@LennoxLewis) July 2, 2017
Teddy Atlas is none too pleased with the decision pic.twitter.com/CQKtQPHImv
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 2, 2017
The Top 3 Tweets of the event reflected the same sentiment.
#PacquiaoHorn pic.twitter.com/i1oqnD74Q2
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) July 2, 2017
Final punch statistics favored Manny Pacquiao, but Jeff Horn won WBO welterweight championship #PacquiaoHorn pic.twitter.com/ZxMIeH88hU
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 2, 2017
Disrespected @mannypacquiao like he not a legend. #PacquiaoHorn
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) July 2, 2017
The unanimous decision against the Filipino boxer shook the boxing community – who turned to Twitter once again to express their reaction through humor.
Did I miss something? This can't be right #PacquiaoHorn pic.twitter.com/wxHWutmG9V
— amess (@ame_hess) July 2, 2017
Them: And the new welterweight champion of the world…
Me: AnD THe NeW WeLteRweIGht cHaMPiOn oF tHe wOrld…#PacquiaoHorn pic.twitter.com/OhoafNNxzS
— Jason (@jayb0ojayb0o) July 2, 2017
Despite the uproar, the “The Hornet’s” supporters were not dissuaded from enjoying the moment who came together to express their excitement on the Aussie’s victory.
#AndTheNew WBO World Welterweight Champion is Jeff Horn! Congrats! What a fight it was! Both of them were amazing #PacHorn #PacquiaoHorn pic.twitter.com/liUiBn2puW
— Gaurav Kumar (@puraanigali) July 2, 2017
