Ex-boxing referee admits cheating to help Pacquiao win fight 22 years ago

[Ledhed1]

Agence France-Presse (AFP)

Former boxing referee Carlos Padilla has admitted cheating to help fellow Filipino Manny Pacquiao defeat Australian Nedal "Skinny" Hussein in a fight more than two decades ago.

Pacquiao was 21 and a rising star when he went 10 rounds against Hussein for the WBC International super-bantamweight title near the Philippine capital Manila in 2000.

But in a stunning confession, Padilla -- known for refereeing the "Thrilla in Manila" between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975 -- said he helped Pacquiao secure victory by "prolonging" the standard 10-count when the Filipino was knocked down and left dazed in the fourth round.

"I am a Filipino and everybody is Filipino watching the fight, so I prolong the count. I know how to do it," Padilla, who was recently inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, said in an interview posted on the World Boxing Council's YouTube page.

"When he get up I said to him 'hey are you okay?' -- and that's prolonging the fight," a smiling Padilla said.

Pacquiao later headbutted Hussein, leaving the Australian with a cut above his left eye.

But Padilla classified the head clash as a "punch". Pacquiao won by a technical knockout after the doctor stopped the fight due to Hussein's bleeding.

"I declare it a punch but it's (a headbutt)," Padilla said, which allowed the fight to continue.

"As a referee, that's the best way to do -- let the doctor stop the fight but they know that it's my fault."

Hussein, who was coached by Australian former world champion Jeff Fenech, said on Instagram that Padilla's admission was a "travesty and a true injustice".

"They should be held accountable for the sport we love," Hussein said in a post addressed to World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman.

Pacquiao did not immediately respond to AFP's requests for comment.

[Cableaddict]

"But in a stunning confession, Padilla -- known for refereeing the "Thrilla in Manila" between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975 -- said he helped Pacquiao secure victory by "prolonging" the standard 10-count when the Filipino was knocked down and left dazed in the fourth round."

 

Sadly,  the only thing "stunning" is that Padilla admitted it,  not that he did it.

We all know this happens,  to a lesser or greater degree, in the vast majority of pro fights.  -  Probably in all of them.

 

And as we all know,   Padilla's confession won't change a thing.

[selij]

And this is surprising (not) because.........................?

We had evidence again of judges cheating / being paid off yet again this week by Sperm.

Edited November 29, 2022 by selij

[LondonRingRules]

--- Assuming Padilla was 30 when he started his career in 1967, he'd be 85 now and 22 years removed from the fight. 

Not gonna watch the fight again assuming it could be had, but Manny was putting a whooping on Nedel with the expected finish. Never seen Manny deliberately butt, but southpaws rack up more head clashes because of the stance, and most of the time Manny got the worst because it was accidental and not deliberate.

[Cableaddict]

5 hours ago, LondonRingRules said:

Never seen Manny deliberately butt, but southpaws rack up more head clashes because of the stance, and most of the time Manny got the worst because it was accidental and not deliberate.

 

 

True dat.   Good point.

[WelshDevilRob]

The ref asking the downed boxer, a question, when he rises is common place in boxing. A few years back in New York they were instructed to make boxers walk a bit, to show they had control of their faculties (think it was after a tragedy).

[LondonRingRules]

- - Just watched the KD, a jab catching Manny coming in. 

On all fours he's smiling knowing he took a shot. Got up at 8 sec to jump up and down hands up, so the delay starts with Padilla motioning him to come forward where he wipes his gloves clean, a necessity that took 6 more seconds, ie not the same 14 count that Douglas took on the canvas against Tyson or Tunney took against Dempsey.

The fight is a brawlfest with Nedal untutored big strong tough guy, and Manny with some surprising brawling moves that he seems to have abandoned after hooking with Roach. Nedal hits on the break constantly even when warned, and Manny constantly demonized for being a one punch left hander has a can't miss his lead right hook which is where Nedal's cut finally appears. There were head clashes thru the fight, but none fatal. Manny lands right hooks just before the stoppage.

Was the stoppage premature? Nedal was bleeding profusely, but he was also getting pounded the entirety by right hooks.

Much ado about nothing as 99.9% of boxing drivel is these days.

Here his daughter weighs in:

November 29, 2022

To the boxing community of the world:

My father is an 88-year-old man who is just that – old and aging!

Despite the fact that he has been living in the United States for decades, English remains his 2nd language. Communications can be misconstrued and well-intentioned words can be misinterpreted. The present situation is one such glaring example of what might have actually been said, (no pun intended), and what may have been taken out of context.

My father is a decent and honorable man. He dedicated his life to boxing and boxers and cared for them and their well-being, regardless of nationality or circumstance. He refereed numerous historic fights with the likes of Muhammad Ali, Hagler, Leonard, Hearns, and many more fighters for the entirety of his career. He has since retired and has been out of the spotlight for as long as I can remember. Oh, but he loves to talk and entertain because like any other human, he still yearns to feel relevant.

I invite everyone to ask about Carlos Padilla among his peers: promoters, fighters, referees or anyone from his era and hopefully, you will learn about my father’s true character.

He does not need controversies at this very late stage in his life. I know I may sound biased, being the eldest child of six, but I believe that through his legacy, he has proven his worth and we, his family, would appreciate it if people respected his contributions to the boxing community he so loved, by giving him some well-deserved consideration.

Thank you!
Suzy Padilla Tuano

 

[WelshDevilRob]

Well said, Suzie. Throw away comments and jesting can be taken out of context.