LAS VEGAS ? Manny Pacquiao admitted it was the hardest bout he ever fought but despite several testy moments, he never thought of quitting under fire from Juan Manuel Marquez in their WBC superfeatherweight title match at the Mandalay Events Center here Saturday night.
Pacquiao withstood a furious assault in the middle rounds that Marquez dominated with vicious combinations to the head and body then came to life in the late going to eke out a split decision.
Marquez was floored by a left hook in the third round but recovered to stagger Pacquiao at least thrice before folding up down the stretch.
For a while, it looked like Pacquiao would hoist the white flag as he could hardly see from his right eye with blood from a deep cut in the lid obstructing his vision.
Pacquiao walked back to his corner after the seventh round complaining he couldn?t see from his lead eye. The situation worsened in the eighth as Marquez pressed his attack with Pacquiao unable to track the punches from his right side. Cutman Joe Chavez, however, came to the rescue and managed to control the bleeding starting the ninth round.
?I never thought of quitting,? said Pacquiao in his dressing room after the gruelling battle. ?If I lose, they?d have to carry me out of the ring. I don?t fight for myself. I fight for my countrymen, my family and my country. That?s why I can?t quit. I would be a disappointment to everyone. I sacrifice for every Filipino and I want every Filipino to be happy when I win.?
Pacquiao was welcomed in his dressing room by his wife Jinkee, Gov. Chavit Singson, Secretary Lito Atienza, adviser Michael Koncz and brother Rogel. The Wild Card Gym team of Freddie Roach, his brother Pepper, Eric Brown and Chavez were also in the room.
?I was surprised how Marquez fought,? he continued. ?I expected him to jab more. I wanted to counter his counterpunching but he made a lot of adjustments during the fight.?
Plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Roth sewed up Pacquiao?s cuts with multi-layer microstitching. The right eyebrow was sewed up with 10 small stitches and the right eyelid, eight. He will undergo therapy to ensure the simultaneous healing of the cuts in Los Angeles before leaving for Manila this weekend. The plan is for Pacquiao to arrive home on Monday.
Pacquiao?s wife Jinkee said she never doubted he would win.
?I know Manny,? she added. ?When he?s hurt, he fights back harder. I was praying the whole fight. At the end of the fight, I knew he won. Marquez fought very well and I think he was the toughest fighter Manny has ever fought.?
Singson said when the final bell rang, he was worried Pacquiao would be victimized by a bum decision.
?Manny won for sure but I was afraid he would be robbed of the decision,? said Singson. ?Luckily, he got the split decision. His power and his big heart made the difference but I admire Marquez for his toughness.?
