MANILA, Philippines – A retired Filipino referee revealed that he cheated to allow Manny Pacquiao win his Fight in 2000.

Carlos Padilla admitted he 'cheated' to ensure Manny Pacquiao's victory | Screengrab: YouTube/ World Boxing Council, The Irish Sun

Retired referee Carlos Padilla claimed he used a longer count for Pacquiao during WBC international super bantamweight title fight against Australian Nedal Hussein. He recalled that when Pacquiao was floored in the 4th round, he added a few more seconds to allow the fight to continue. A boxer is only given 10 seconds by the rules to recover after being knocked out in the ring.

Padilla shared in an interview that he was asked to use his power to ensure Pacquiao wins the title fight. He said, “That fight, I'm about to go and leave the following day, and they told me, 'Carlos, please this is an important fight for Pacquiao because the winner will have the chance to fight for the world championship."

Carlos admitted that he got swayed and during the fight decided to prolong the count when Pacquaio was knocked down. He said, “I am Filipino, and everybody watching the fight is Filipino, so I prolonged the count. I know how to do it. When he got up, I told him, ‘Hey, are you okay?’ Still prolonging the fight. ‘Are you okay?’ ‘Okay, fight!’”

Padilla went on to share some of the tactics he used to ensure that the Filipino boxer got the upper hand during the fight. He deducted points from Hussein and declared Pacquiao's headbutt as a legal punch. He also initially refused to let a doctor check the cut. When he eventually allowed the doctor to check Hussein's cut, the fight was halted and Pacquiao secured the title bout.

In a response on Instagram, Hussein called out the World Boxing Council to be held accountable. He lamented, “The dirty referee talking with no shame.”


— Sally, The Summit Express