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'This is what's wrong with boxing': Horn's win over Pacquiao sparks social media frenzy

While Australia was celebrating Jeff Horn's upset win over boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, plenty of people from around the world fumed over the unanimous decision.

Horn undeniably came out stronger in the early rounds, but tired through the second half.

He was rocked by Pacquiao in the ninth round to the point that the referee asked Horn to show something in the 10th or the fight was going to be stopped.

Horn did show "something", but that comeback resulting in a win from all three judges (117-111, 115-113 and 115-113) was a tough pill to swallow for many.

The most damning indictment came from former heavyweight world champion and Olympic gold medallist Lennox Lewis:

Some used statistics and let them speak for themselves:

Famed boxing commentator Teddy Atlas was simply dumbfounded, likening Horn's new belt to a participation trophy:

"They gave a trophy — a win, a huge win — to the local kid for trying hard," he seethed.

"You're not supposed to get it for trying hard, you're supposed to get it for winning.

"And I thought Pacquiao won the fight if you go by the real rules, the Marquess of Queensberry rules — who lands the cleaner punches."

Atlas later labelled boxing a "corrupt sport" and he was not alone on the conspiracy-theory bandwagon.

He was joined by some of US sport's biggest names in shock at the result, with past and present NFL stars Deion Sanders and Aaron Rodgers chiming in, along with NBA star Damian Lillard.

Of course there were memes and reaction gifs to fall back on.

But, no matter what the critics say or what it looked like in the ring, Australia has a new boxing hero.

All hail the champ.

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