Manny Pacquiao’s legacy as one of the most accomplished boxers of all time is firmly cemented. But according to the account of one former referee, he received a little bit of untoward help along the way to becoming a boxing icon.
Carlos Padilla asserted that he cheated to help Pacquiao get a win during a 2000 bout against Nedal Hussein for the WBC International super-bantamweight championship, according to Jack Baer of Yahoo Sports. Padilla says he gave Pacquiao an extra long count after he was knocked down in the fourth round.
Pacquiao went on to win by TKO in the 10th round.