Manny Pacquiao: A Legacy of Controversial Judging Decisions
Manny Pacquiao, widely regarded as one of boxing’s all-time greats, has faced an unfortunate recurring theme throughout his illustrious career: questionable judging decisions. Even with numerous accolades and a Hall of Fame status, the Filipino boxing icon has been a victim of some notorious verdicts that sparked confusion and discontent among fans and experts alike. In light of another contentious ruling in 2025, World Boxing News revisits five pivotal fights where Pacquiao was arguably wronged by the judges.
Notable Controversies in Pacquiao’s Career
Fight of the Century: Pacquiao vs. Mayweather
One of the most discussed bouts was against Floyd Mayweather in 2015, which had been marketed as the “Fight of the Century.” Mayweather’s calculated approach led to him claiming a unanimous decision victory, with all three judges awarding him the match decisively. However, a significant portion of observers, including Pacquiao himself, felt he had secured enough moments throughout the fight to justify his win. CompuBox stats even indicated that Pacquiao landed more power punches, raising questions about how the judges could arrive at their scoring (Final scores: 116-112 in favor of Mayweather).
Unification Bout: Pacquiao vs. Sanchez
In another controversial event, Pacquiao faced Agapito Sanchez in a world title unification bout in 2001 at the MGM Grand. The match quickly devolved into a brutal affair, with Sanchez committing multiple fouls against Pacquiao. After the fight was halted due to a severe cut on Pacquiao’s eye caused by a deliberate headbutt from Sanchez, the outcome was shocking: the judges scored it a split draw, despite Pacquiao’s clear dominance throughout the fight. HBO’s Jim Lampley echoed the disbelief, stating,
“It’s hard to understand how Sanchez can foul his way through the fight and not lose.”
(Judges’ scores: 113-115, 113-115, 115-113).
Infamous Bias: Pacquiao vs. Bradley
Perhaps the most infamous case of judge bias came during the 2016 bout against Timothy Bradley, where Pacquiao was heavily favored to win. He outperformed Bradley in ten of the twelve rounds, yet two judges controversially awarded the fight to Bradley, marking Pacquiao’s first official loss in nearly a decade. The decision sparked an uproar, with Top Rank’s Bob Arum expressing deep shame for the sport. Subsequent evaluations by WBO judges affirmed Pacquiao’s victory (Total scores: 112-116).
Shocking Outcome: Pacquiao vs. Horn
Fast forward to 2017, and Pacquiao once again found himself facing judicious injustice when he clashed with Jeff Horn in Brisbane. The matchup ended in a shocking unanimous decision for Horn, despite Pacquiao’s stellar performance, which included nearly stopping Horn in the ninth round. A review by a WBO panel scored the bout round-by-round, but still upheld Horn’s victory, leading to accusations of a local bias influencing the judges’ scores (Final scores: 114-114, 113-115, 114-114).
Recent Controversy: Pacquiao vs. Barrios
Pacquiao’s most recent encounter in 2025 with Mario Barrios saw him stepping back into action at age 46, where expectations leaned towards a sentimental farewell. Instead, the legendary fighter showcased solid skills throughout the match, seeming to control it effectively. However, the judges ultimately rendered a draw, even as many analysts had Pacquiao winning by a narrow margin.
Conclusion: A Legacy Beyond Judgments
Despite these glaring discrepancies in judgment throughout his career, Pacquiao’s legacy remains intact. Fans and analysts recognize the unfair decisions as blights against his record rather than defining moments of his career. Ultimately, while the judges may have faltered, history will keep his brilliance alive and acknowledged disgracefully by the sport of boxing itself.