LAS VEGAS, Nevada — He emerged empty-handed from his grim title quest, but Manny Pacquiao woke up Sunday crowned with a glorious assurance that he did win over WBA/IBF featherweight titleholder Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico.
The appreciation came in the form of a phone call.
The caller: Muhammad Ali.
Not just a namesake of The Greatest, but the real Ali.
The message was transmitted to Pacquiao early Sunday here by Murad Muhammad, his promoter in the US who was part of the fabulous Team Ali in the past.
“You know who called me this morning?” reported the excited Murad at the Rainforest Restaurant of the MGM Grand where Pacquiao was presented a key to the city. “Muhammad Ali, he asked me to tell Manny he won the fight clear.”
Added Murad: “Ali was very excited. He called Manny the Small Ali because he said he got the gifts and the heart. He said Manny was a real warrior, a winner. The real thing. He likened Manny to himself who would fight the best and would not give up no matter what.”
Murad said Ali felt extremely appreciative after he informed the boxing great that Pacquiao had to box injured starting the second round when his left fist started to swell.
“In that case, tell him he could use the name Thrilla in Manila if a rematch is staged in the Philippines,” Murad quoted Ali as offering.
Pacquiao business manager Rod Nazario had offered Manila as site for a projected rematch between Pacquiao and Marquez whose monumental bout on Saturday ended in a split draw following the questionable scoring of two judges.
Murad said Ali, who must be calling from his home, watched the championship on Saturday and talked on the phone for over 20 minutes Sunday morning.
“I’m telling you all what he had told me in less than five minutes, because you know how Ali talks now,” Murad said referring to the slow, slurred speech of the boxing immortal who has been suffering from Parkinson’s Disease Syndrome.
It could not be readily ascertained if Pacquiao, who was cornered by autograph hunters in a half-lit end of the tropical restaurant, had already gotten the Ali message.
Pacquiao, appearing relieved and fresh despite a cut over his right eye, found a brief break from excited fans to confirm with the Inquirer that he hurt his left hand after he slammed and decked Marquez for the third time in the first round Saturday.
Pacquiao also blamed a flimsy pair of socks for the blisters which ruined his momentum and balance during the fight.
On the whole, Pacquiao surmised he was only 60 percent of himself against Marquez, unlike against Marco Antonio Barrera whom he stopped with a sustained, fiery attack last year.
Although Pacquiao’s offensive sputtered, his handlers rated his suspect chin excellent after it withstood several jarring blows by Marquez during the furious exchanges.
It was the first time Pacquiao had gone 12 rounds in a world championship.
Majority of those who placed bets in the Race and Sports Book counter at the ground floor of the city-like, 5,000-room MGM Grand picked Pacquiao to win by knockout.
But the bookmakers ended up making a killing after only a few wagered on a draw which closed with odds of 12/1 and paid 120 dollars for a 10-dollar bet.
Team Pacquiao leaves Las Vegas Tuesday, after a tour of the Grand Canyon, and is expected in Manila Thursday morning.
