Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/847822
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 2017 20 Sport SPORTTODAY BOXING FOOTBALL WBO review backs up Horn's win over Pacquiao THE World Boxing Organi- sation (WBO) has concluded that judges were correct to name Australia's Jeff Horn the winner in his bout against Manny Pacquiao last week after the controversial points decision in Brisbane sparked calls for a review. Horn took the Filipino great's welterweight world title after judges scored the bout 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113 in the 29-year-old's favour but many observers questioned the outcome, say- ing the officials had made a "hometown decision". The WBO agreed to review the decision and on Tuesday released its results, which backed up Horn as the victor. "The Jeff Horn vs. Manny Pacquiao bout results were controversial, causing dis- putes amongst fans. For this reason, transparency is so important," the WBO said in a statement. "Based on this, five anony- mous, competent judges from different countries were asked to watch the bout with- out sound. "To determine the winner of each round, three out of the five officials have to be in agreement. "From the results, it can be established that Pacquiao won five rounds while Horn won seven rounds." While there has been talk that 38-year-old Pacquiao may retire, a rematch was written into the contract for the initial fight and the pair are expected to face each oth- er again later this year. Former schoolteacher Horn, who improved his record to 17-0-1 after the win over the eight-division world cham- pion, said he felt vindicated after the WBO's statement. "It gives me evidence be- hind me that I can just use now," he told reporters at Brisbane Airport on Tuesday. "Instead of saying I think I won the fight, now a heap of other people - professionally - think I won the fight." Horn will be attending the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles today. 'Agent' Pogba played big role in Man Utd move, reveals Lukaku M ANCHESTER United mid- fielder Paul Pogba played a "big role" in Romelu Lu- kaku's decision to join the Premier League giants from Everton, the Belgian striker has said. The 24-year-old completed his switch on Monday, his re- ported 75 million pound fee making him the club's sec- ond most expensive signing after last year's world-record deal for France midfielder Pogba. "He is one of my best friends, and he is my neigh- bour as well," Lukaku told the club website (w w w.ma- nutd.com). "We are always together on a daily basis so he would explain to me how things were going. "When he signed for Unit- ed, to have witnessed that, it really triggered something in my brain and I knew that if one day I had the chance to sign then I would not say no." Pogba last week posted pic- tures with Lukaku on social media, calling himself 'Agent P'. Lukaku finished runner-up for the league's Golden Boot award last campaign with 25 goals and was tipped to re- turn to champions Chelsea but chose to reunite with manager Jose Mourinho on a five-year contract. Everton manager Ronald Koeman believes the striker made the right choice. "We know it was one of the challenges for Lukaku," Koe- man told reporters. "He took the right decision and lets hope everything goes well for him because I like him. I like the player but now it's about Everton." Lukaku trained with Unit- ed's squad on Monday ahead of their U.S. tour which be- gins with a match against LA Galaxy on July 16. Best friends: Man. United's Romelu Lukaku (R) and Paul Pogba Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines (right) lost to Jeff Horn of Australia on points