Aquiles Zonio, who is Manny Pacquiao’s media relations chief, took aim at the boxer's promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank.
This past weekend, Pacquiao suffered a shocking decision loss to massive underdog Jeff Horn, before a crowd of over 50,000 at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Horn secured Pacquiao's WBO welterweight title with the win.
The scores were 115-113, 115-113 and 117-111. There was a lot of anger over the decision, with many observers calling it controversial and a robbery.
Horn, a 2012 Australian Olympian, raised his undefeated record to 17-0-1, with 11 knockouts. The victory made Horn become an overnight celebrity in Australia and there is a media frenzy over the fighter.
According to several reports, there is a deal in place where Top Rank will be working with Horn for several of his upcoming fights.
Zonio claims that Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs) and the entire team received “cold treatment” from Arum during the event.
According to Zonio, the fight with Horn is Pacquiao's last promotional obligation with Top Rank - but he believes that Arum will use a potential rematch with Horn as a bargaining chip to extend the boxer's contract.
“You can see it in the body language of Arum that he’s probably searching for a new cash cow,” Zonio told The Manila Times in a phone interview. “He’s a user in my opinion. He’s treating Senator Manny (Pacquiao) differently now, unlike before.”
“He’ll bargain with that (rematch) and use it as his leverage to resign Manny for long term. If you ask me, I will not [give in] because I believe Pacquiao could get offers from other promotions. If you’re going to ask me, he’s good for two more fights. The rematch should not happen in Brisbane, Australia. Aside from that, our boss (Pacquiao) should be given a chance to select the judges and the referee. I can’t blame him if he wants to get a rematch with Horn.”
“It could happen in Las Vegas or in any neutral ground."