LAS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao felt fine and remained in high spirit despite suffering the worst loss of his boxing career on Saturday night (Sunday, Manila time).
The greatest Filipino athlete ever told his fans not to worry about his condition following a sixth-round knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in their fourth encounter at the MGM Grand.
“To all my fans, I would like to thank you for our prayers and assure you that I am fine,” said Pacquiao.
Ever humble, the 33-year-old boxing star and Sarangani congressman didn’t take the victory away from his Mexican rival, who he said deserved the victory.
“First and foremost, I would like to thank God for keeping Juan Manuel Marquez and me safe during our fight Saturday night,” he said in a statement. “I want to congratulate Juan Manuel. I have no excuses. It was a good fight and he deserved the victory.
“I think boxing fans who watched us were winners, too.”
As a precautionary measure, the eight-time division world champion was taken to the University Medical Center shortly after the knockout loss.
After the result of the CT scan came out negative, Pacquiao was readily discharged from the hospital.
“We we’re in and out in just over an hour, and Manny was in excellent spirit,” his adviser Michael Konz said.
Now back in his suite at the 60th floor of The Hotel, Pacquiao had dinner with his family, and then together they watched the DVD copy of his fourth fight with Marquez.
Proof that he wasn’t bothered by the loss, the Filipino even managed to crack a joke just as the DVD was about to play.
“Spoiler alert,” he announced. “I don’t think you are going to like how this ends.”
In parting, he greeted his fans for the coming holidays and guarantees he will be back in the ring again.
“I am looking forward to a nice rest and then I will be back to fight,” said Pacquiao.
“On behalf of Jinkee and our family, we would like to wish everyone a joyous Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.”
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