By CARLO ANOLIN
Eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and former Aussie opponent Nedal Hussein could meet and clash against each other in the ring following the recent fiasco over their match 22 years ago.
But that is if both fighters are willing enough to iron out, interestingly, now an unsettled business, in an exhibition rematch.
Formal talks have yet to be made but Pacquiao and Hussein, through local television interviews, bared that they are actually open to the idea.
“Active pa naman ako sa larangan ng boxing. De bumalik siya para malaman niya,” said the 43-year-old Pacquiao briefly in an interview with CNN Philippines.
This stemmed from an earlier statements made by Carlos Padilla, the referee of their 2022 matc h, as he had bared shocking revelations about him “helping” Pacquiao to win the fight.
Reports, both local and international, had stated that Padilla made some delaying tactics especially in his knockdown count on then 21-year-old Pacquiao, who eventually emerged victorious with a technical knockout win.
Hussein, however, believes that Padilla is the one at fault here as the referee and for making such statements after more than two decades.
While Pacquiao agrees, the former Senator also added that “moving on” is just one of the many ways to deal with the controversy.
Pacquiao, after all, himself was a subject of controversy on the losing end when he absorbed a controversial split decision loss against Timothy Bradley in 2012 and a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Jeff Horn in 2017.
“This is boxing. We have to respect the decisions of the boxing officials,” added Pacquiao. “Para sa akin, ako naman, hindi lang ngayon nangyari ‘yong mga ganong issue,” citing his defeats against Bradley and Horn.
“Talagang mahirap ‘yon pero tapos na ‘yon e,” added the Filipino boxing legend, who has an upcoming exhibition boxing match against South Korean martial artist DK Yooin Seoul, South Korea on Dec. 11.
