SARANGANI (December 10) ? As Manny Pacquiao?s stunning knockout defeat continue to reverberate across the country, his circle of close friends are relieved the Filipino boxing icon has been cleared of any serious brain damage.
Pacquiao fell face first when he was clipped by a powerful right straight from Juan Manuel Marquez with one second left in the sixth round.
He lay motionless for about a minute before being helped in his corner.
Malungon Mayor Reynaldo ?Bong? Constantino said he was relieved to see his bosom buddy collect himself after the knockout and the way Pacquiao handled his post-fight interview.
Constantino said his friend will definitely emerge a better man after his defeat.
He offered no excuses and said Marquez was the better man yesterday.
?Marquez was the hungrier fighter and was better prepared for Manny this time,? Constantino said.
Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez said he was ?stunned like all? when Pacquiao was knocked out cold.
?I am praying for his health (and) that no serious damage was inflicted to him,? Dominguez added.
Pacquiao was brought to the hospital immediately after the fight and was subjected to a battery of physical and neurological tests. He was cleared by his doctors and went straight to his hotel room.
Reports said he even reviewed the tape of his fight with long time buddy Buboy Fernandez.
Banker Orman Manansala was worried Marquez looked very strong even before the fight.
His fears were proven true. Mansnsala?s nephew Bren Evengelio is the congressional office chief of staff of Pacquiao in Sarangani.
?Parang nanginig siya (He was like twitching) or was it him trying to stand up,? Manansala described what he saw in the video replays of Pacquiao?s knockout loss.
Bibingka (baked rice cake) seller Bert Cano said he lost a P200-bet on Pacquiao, a fight he didn?t get to watch at the capitol gym.
Cano, whose roadside bibingka store is just across the Sarangani captiol grounds, lost his day?s profit although he seemed proud and no regrets to have placed a bet on his congressman.
