“He paid the referee!” – Manny Pacquiao drops the accusation of trap of bombs against neighborhoods with a test that is shaking everyone from boxing
What began as a night of nostalgia and glory for boxing fans has now become a controversy whirlwind. Manny Pacquiao, the legendary world champion of eight divisions, has just launched a bomb that is shaking the foundations of professional boxing: he is accusing Mario Barrios to bribe the referee in his recent confrontation, and claims to possess undeniable evidence.
The accusation
At a surprise press conference held on Monday morning in Las Vegas, Pacquiao took the stage with his legal team and the whole life coach Freddie Roach. With visible frustration and emotion, the Filipino icon did not hold.
“This fight was not just unfair, it was arranged,” Pacquiao said. “Barrios did not win that draw. He bought it. He paid the referee and we have the evidence.”
The accusations derive from what many already considered a highly controversial majority raffle between Pacquiao and Barrios during their match on Saturday night, a result that surprised fans and analysts who believed widely that Pacquiao had surpassed the youngest fighter in 12 rounds.
The “Test”
According to the legal advisor of Pacquiao, a complainant within the Nevada Boxing Community provided them with financial documents, intercepted messages and registered conversations that allegedly show connections between the Management of Barrios and the referee assigned to the fight.
“We are talking about suspicious wire transfers, encrypted chats and even a phone call heard the night before the fight,” said Atty. Jerome Silviors, Pacquiao’s lawyer.
Although names of specific referees were not published yet, the Pacquiao team has confirmed that they have presented the evidence to the Athletic Commission of the State of Nevada (NSAC) and the Voluntary Ant-Doping Association (VAD) for an immediate review.
Freddie Roach pesa
Freddie Roach, who has trained Pacquiao for decades, said “knew something was wrong” during the fight.
“The referee was letting neighborhoods close, thrust, even hit the break, without prior notice,” Roach said. “Meanwhile, Manny was warned of clean shots to the body.”
Roach also pointed out that the referee’s behavior was “off” even before the opening bell, citing how he interacted more with the corner of neighborhoods than Pacquiao.
Barrios Camp responds
Mario Barrios’s team immediately issued a statement by denying all the accusations and exploiting the Pacquiao camp for “slandering a hard contest.”
“These statements are completely false, desperate and harmful to sports,” said Barrios manager Raymond Gonzales. “Mario respects Pacquiao as a legend, but this is nothing more than sour grapes.”
The same neighborhoods went to Instagram later that day, publishing a photo of the final bell with the legend:
“Say what you want. I earned my place.”
NSAC opens a preliminary review
The Athletic Commission of the Nevada State issued a brief statement recognizing the reception of the complaint and confirming that a preliminary investigation has been launched.
“While we cannot comment on an ongoing review, the Commission takes accusations of corruption or unusual behavior with maximum seriousness,” reads.
Experts report that the members of the commission were “visibly shaken” by the evidence presented.
The world of boxing reacts
The news has sent shock waves through the Sports Community of Combat.
Former champions like Tim Bradley and Shawn Porter have already requested a federal level investigation.
Max Kellerman of ESPN tweeted:“If Pacquiao’s team is telling the truth, this could be the largest boxing scandal in two decades.”
UFC President Dana White intervened with:“Boxing can’t take a break. It’s crazy if it’s true.”
Meanwhile, fans have flooded social networks with hashtags such as #Justiceforpacquiao and #boxingisrigged, demanding transparency and a possible rematch.
What follows?
The Pacquiao team has not ruled out legal actions, and says they are pressing so that the fight is declared without a contest, with a possible revenge under independent supervision.
If the accusations remain under scrutiny or not, one thing is safe:
The legend of Manny Pacquiao may have ignited a battle much larger than anything inside the ring.
