JAKARTA - Former Filipino boxing referee Carlos Padilla admitted to cheating to help his compatriot Manny Pacquiao beat Australian Nedal "Skinny" Hussein in the fight more than two decades ago.
Pacquiao was then 21 years old and became a rising star as he fought 10 rounds against Hussein for an International WBC super bantamweight title near the Philippine capital, Manila, in 2000.
But in a shocking confession, Padilla - known as the referee for the fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe back in Manila in 1975 - said she helped Pacquiao secure the victory by "expanding" the standard 10 count when the Filipino boxer fell and was absent in the fourth round.
"I am a Filipino and all Filipinos watched the fight, so I extended the count. I know how to do it," Padilla, who was recently included in the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, said in an interview posted on the World Boxing Council's YouTube page.
"When he woke up, I asked 'hei, are you okay?' - and it extended the fight," Padilla said with a smile, as quoted by Antara via AFP.
Pacquiao then headed Hussein, leaving the Australian injured above his left eye.
But Padilla classified the head clash as a "kick". Pacquiao won with TKO after doctors stopped the fight because Hussein was bleeding.
"I stated it was a blow but it was actually (a head clash)," said Padilla, who let the fight continue.
"As referees, that's the best way to do -- let the doctors stop the fight but they know it's my fault."
Hussein, coached by former Australian world champion Jeff Fenech, said on Instagram that Padilla's admission was "a parody and true injustice".
"They must be responsible for the sport we love," Hussein said in a post addressed to World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman.
Pacquiao did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP.
The 43-year-old multi-division world champion retired last year from the sport to focus on the presidency, where he failed next.
He had an exhibition fight against South Korean YouTubers in December, which he described as "my return to the ring".
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