Sporting Chance - Hussein cries foul

How ironic that Nedal Hussein – the dirtiest fighter to see action here since Sandy Saddler in 1955 and Love Allotey in 1963 – cried foul after he was pronounced unfit to continue in the 10th round of a Pier 6 brawl against Manny Pacquiao at the Ynares Center in Antipolo last Saturday because of a deep, one-inch cut on his left eyebrow. He should’ve been disqualified by referee Carlos (Sonny) Padilla earlier.

Hussein lived up to Saddam’s reputation by using every trick not in the Queensbury rules against Pacquiao. It was the height of audacity. The Commonwealth and Australian junior featherweight champion defied every principle of fair play by punching on the break, butting, elbowing, forearming, and hitting below the belt. He spun Pacquiao around to strike from behind, pushed him down, and stepped on his feet to keep him still – in front of a hostile crowd.

Padilla, however, didn’t seem to mind Hussein’s blatant display of unsportsmanlike conduct. Sure, he deducted a point from the Australian for butting in the fourth round – shortly after Pacquiao was floored by a vicious left cross – but tolerated Hussein’s roughhousing the rest of the way.

Hussein’s manager Jeff Fenech, the former triple world champion, protested Padilla’s interruption after the knockdown and claimed it allowed Pacquiao at least 25 seconds to clear his head. He also insisted the cut on Hussein’s eyebrow was caused by a butt, not a punch.

Fenech wanted to wring Padilla’s neck after the fight and was restrained by New Zealand referee Bruce McTavish, an Angeles City resident the last 33 years. McTavish said if he worked the bout, he would’ve disqualified Hussein two rounds before it ended.

Promoter Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde said even if Padilla let the fight continue, Hussein would’ve been knocked out. The challenger was ready to go in the 10th, noted Elorde, as Pacquiao stepped up his attack. Hussein was hardly throwing punches when Padilla called in ringside physician Dr. Nasser Cruz to examine his cut.

Elorde’s mother Laura, the late world junior lightweight champion Flash’s widow, said she prayed hard for Pacquiao’s win. Watching at ringside, she commented that Saddler and Allotey who both fought her husband were dirtier.

Pacquiao led on all three judges’ scorecards when Padilla stepped in. Padilla, the scoring referee, and Korean David Chung saw it both 87-83, awarding only the fourth and sixth rounds to Hussein. Australian judge Gerry Dean had it 87-85, also for Pacquiao, as he scored the first and eighth, even at 10-all, and gave the fourth and sixth to Hussein.

McTavish said Padilla had no control of the fight. "You can’t blame Hussein," he continued. "If the referee will allow you to foul, you will until you’re told not to."

Irate fans pelted the ring with plastic bottles of water and other debris after Hussein got away with hitting Pacquiao twice after the bell ended the ninth round. Fenech picked up a few bottles and hurled them back to the fans. Games and Amusements Board (GAB) officials, including Chairman Dominador Cepeda, quickly appealed for calm before the situation got worse.

Fenech said he will ask the World Boxing Council (WBC) to order a rematch. He plans to speak to WBC President Jose Sulaiman at the WBC Convention on Oct. 21-28 in Mexico City.

Thrice before the crack of dawn the morning after the fight, Fenech phoned WBC Ratings Committee Chairman Frank Quill long distance in his Melbourne home to air his gripes. Quill then called McTavish at 5 a.m. to find out his version of the story. McTavish said since Pacquiao is expected to relinquish his WBC International superbantamweight crown for a crack at the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title, Hussein will likely be picked to dispute the vacant title.

Pacquiao said he was hurt by Hussein but wouldn’t let his countrymen down. He displayed guts, courage, and a big fighting heart to survive the knockdown in the fourth round and come roaring back.

Pacquiao showed a lot of maturity in the fight. After his knockdown, he adjusted his fightplan and instead of charging in, waited for Hussein to initiate the action so he could counter. Then he pressed Hussein at close quarters to negate the Australian’s three-inch reach advantage. Pacquiao also proved he’s got the lungpower to go beyond three rounds – the average length of his last three fights.

Pacquiao still has to work on his defense, particularly when he’s on the attack, and his ability to take shots to the body. Just the same, it was a rousing victory – despite Hussein’s bellyaching.