INQUIRER Sports

LAS VEGAS -- His right eye was beginning to swell, there's throbbing pain in his head and his stomach was aching.

Manny Pacquiao appeared vulnerable when he entered his crowded suite at Mandalay Bay's The Hotel on Saturday.

He'd just gotten into and barely survived a 12-round war with tough Juan Manuel Marquez, snaring the Mexican’s World Boxing Council super featherweight crown.

And he blamed himself for letting Marquez put him into trouble.

"Kasalanan ko (It's my fault), said Pacquiao. "Nagkumpyansa ako kasi alam kong kaya ko ang suntok n'ya (I got too confident because I know I can take his punches."

Famished by the effort that exacted its toll on his well-chiseled body, Pacquiao asked for food.

"Gutom lang yan (That's due to hunger)," said Dr. Nasser Cruz, head of the Games and Amusements Board boxing division, who stayed by his side after the post-fight conference where he wore dark shades to hide the 10 stitches required to sew up the cut inflicted by Marquez in their rematch.

Cruz then gave Pacquiao warm water and asked for some ice to put on Pacquiao's head.

Pacquiao declined the ice, saying it might affect his still hot body.

Holding his stomach, he approached the dining table but find the viands not to his liking.

"Wala bang isda (Is there some fish)?" said Pacquiao, who decided to go to his room and take a rest. He was in no mood to join the celebration intended for his honor in a restaurant at the ground floor of the five-hectare hotel and casino complex.

Then Rob Peters, his tall and muscular body guard, announced that it's lights out for Pacquiao.