LAS VEGAS — His face practically reduced to a puffy mask, Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao said he thought he won the fight against Erik Morales and felt sad that he had failed his nation.
"I think I won the fight," he said during an interview with broadcaster Chino Trinidad shortly after losing a close 12-round unanimous decision yesterday against Morales.
Speaking in Tagalog and English, Pacquiao tried to put up a brave face in light of the apparent beating he absorbed from the Mexican stylist who used guile and a quick right hand to overcome the game Filipino warrior in a wildly-applauded encounter.
"Ginawa ko ang lahat para manalo pero talagang ganun," he said of the contest where a thick glove and a head butt that cut his right eyebrow might have contributed to the loss.
He rued that the cut had made him practically use just one eye.
"Hindi ko makita yung kanan nya kaya ginawa ko suntok na lang ng suntok ," he said of the difficulty that he had to endure against one of boxing’s most cerebral fighters.
"But that’s part of the game. I tried my best. Better luck next time," he said.
He lamented that he could not deliver what had been expected of him, but he said he could not imagine himself giving up without a fight.
"Hindi ako aayaw. Kailangan patulugin nya muna ko," he said of the slambang encounter during which both fighters went toe-to-toe on several rounds, including the 12
th that had the crowd on its feet and cheering wildly.
During the same interview, Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s celebrated trainer who also handles Mike Tyson, showed the gloves that he said did not fit his boxer’s style.
"They’re like cotton," he said.
Morales said he respected Pacquiao but he told an interviewer he had the fight under control.
The fighters did not say what their future plans were although both did not discount a match with Marco Antonio Barrera who beat Morales late last year.
"It’s all up to them. Whatever they asked for," Morales said, referring to his promoter Bob Arum and HBO.
After the fight, Arum was so visibly pleased with the outcome and the crowd’s response that he said he was not aversed to granting Pacquiao a return bout.
"Of course, a rematch is a possibility," Arum said.
"It could happen sometime late this year after Manny’s wounds heal," said Arum, whose promotional outfit Top Rank handles Morales’ fights.
A rematch can definitely be made because Morales is not inclined to fight Barrera again within the next several months.
Barrera will make a mandatory defense of his World Boxing Council super-feather title against South African Mzonke Fana on April 9 in El Paso, Texas.
"Forget about him," said Arum when the name of Barrera was mentioned as Morales’ next foe.
Pacquiao’s name remains attractive because he is the only boxer who beat up Barrera.
