On Sunday, Australian boxer Jeff Horn beat Manny Pacquiao, an eight-time world champion from the Philippines, following a unanimous points decision in Brisbane, Australia.
Many Pacquiao's coaches and celebrities, including Lennox Lewis and retired NBA superstar, Kobe Bryant, were critical of the judges' call on the result.
Horn, the 29-year-old Australian, said he was, by all means, "worthy" of the hard earned title.
"There will always be a backlash where people say I got lucky, or whatever," he told the reporters on Monday.
"There will always be the naysayers saying I did not win the fight, but I felt like I won the fight. A lot of Queenslanders think I won the fight and people around the world."
Pacquiao's Australian coach, former heavyweight boxer Justin Fortune, had described the referee as "sketchy" and the judges as "crazy" following the bout.
However, the 39-year old legend and so called "people's champ" Manny Pacquiao, congratulated his opponent and said he respects the decision.
The Australian responded by paying tribute to his rival, describing him as "an absolute warrior, a legend of the sport".
Horn, who taught at a Brisbane school until only recently, said he believes that his former students would be proud.
"I have a lot to do with the school still," he said. "I don't go there and teach but I still go to the schools and I know the kids will be proud of what I have done."
Horn, who was also known as "The Hornet", also drew praise from aficionados including Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
"What a great Australian story - congratulations," Prime Minister Turnbull said.
"Brisbane school teacher to world champion. Against all of the pundits."
Rise to the Ranks
Jeff Horn's grandfather, Ray Horn, also said that was also very proud of his grandson.
"If anyone had ever told me I would have a grandchild I would have found it hard to believe," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corp in an interview.
"But I would think they were nuts if they told me I would be a grandfather of a world champion one day."
More than 51,000 spectators watched the bout at Brisbane's Lang Park stadium on Sunday.
Horn set up his victory with an aggressive start before both fighters were tired in the final rounds.
Reports claim that the underdog won a guaranteed A$500,000 (£295,000; $384,000) from his fight against Pacquiao, and he could now be set for even bigger paydays.
Horn has already challenged US boxer Floyd Mayweather to a fight and said he would consider a re-match against Pacquiao.
