MANNY PACQUIAO HAS NEGATIVE RESULTS FROM CT SCAN AFTER CRUSHING KNOCKOUT

PACQUIAO OUT FOR THE COUNT

LAS VEGAS -- Former eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao checked out OK after a precautionary visit to University Medical Center on Saturday night.

Pacquiao did not appear at the postfight news conference in order to be taken to the hospital for observation follow his crushing one-punch knockout loss to rival Juan Manuel Marquez with one second left in the sixth round in front a sold-out crowd of 16,348 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

"Manny was given a CT scan and the results were negative," said Michael Koncz, Pacquiao's advisor. "We were in and out in just over an hour and Manny was in excellent spirits."

Pacquiao and Marquez were fighting for the fourth time -- and second time in a row as welterweights -- with Pacquiao entering the bout with a 2-0-1 series lead in three close, controversial decisions.

He and Marquez exchanged knockdowns in a tremendously exciting fight with Pacquiao going down in the third round and Marquez in the fifth round before the shocking ending when Marquez landed a spectacular overhand right that crumpled Pacquiao face first to the mat and out cold.

After leaving the hospital, Pacquiao publicist Fred Sternburg said Pacquiao returned to his suite at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay for a family dinner followed by a DVD viewing of the fight.

Sternburg said that as the DVD played, Pacquiao jokingly announced, "Spoiler alert. I don't think you are going to like how this ends."

PACQUIAO KNOCKED DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME AGAINST MARQUEZ

Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs), who was ahead 47-46 on all three judges' scorecards at the time of the knockout, also congratulated Marquez (55-6-1, 40 KOs).


"First and foremost I would like to thank God for keeping Juan Manuel Marquez and me safe during our fight on Saturday night," Pacquiao said in a statement. "I want to congratulate Juan Manuel. I have no excuses. It was a good fight and he deserved the victory. I think boxing fans who watched us were winners, too.

"To all my fans, I would like to thank you for your prayers and assure you that I am fine. I am looking forward to a nice rest and then I will be back to fight. On behalf of (my wife) Jinkee and our family we would like to wish everyone a joyous Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.