TOKYO — National sports hero Manny Pacquiao felt greatly relieved and led a thank-you prayer upon learning yesterday that the Filipino boxer, who was taken to the hospital in an ambulance after losing a savage one-sided match in Yokohama Sunday night, did not suffer a brain clot and was not operated on, contrary to initial reports.
Super bantamweight Ayon Naranjo was still under observation in the intensive care unit when the Pacquiao-led RP group that backed the failed world title bid of Eriberto “Yukka” Gejon left for home yesterday morning.
Naranjo, 23, single, a native of Bukidnon province, complained of severe headache and started throwing up while watching the Gejon fight at ringside an hour after being beaten badly by Dominican Republic featherweight star Jorge Linares (17-0) in the undercard of the double main event at the Yokohama Arena.
Gina Matsuoka, who volunteered to stay by Naranjo’s side in the ambulance that rushed the stricken fighter to the hospital, assured her countrymen who waited for the medical bulletin at the lobby of the Grand Palace Hotel until the early hours of Monday that Ayon was not operated on and was being treated for brain swelling.
“Salamat sa Diyos, mabuti hindi pala ganuon kagrabe (Thank God, his condition was not that grave),” Pacquiao exclaimed after having had to calm down his group who were falsely informed by a female interpreter that Ayon had undergone brain surgery.
“The doctors said he could return to Manila in three or four days if the swelling is contained and his condition normalizes,” said Matsuoka, a tall, slender Filipina married to a generous Japanese trader.
She said Naranjo was conscious but doctors have ordered him to stay still in bed.
Naranjo was floored in the fifth round but managed to finish the six-round contest which he lost by unanimous decision.
Robert “Junjun” Bubuli of the Rex Wakee Salud boxing stable, who roomed with Naranjo here, said the victim had confided to him he had figured in a motorcycle crash a week before leaving for Tokyo.
