(From left) Justin Fortune, Buboy Fernandez and Freddie Roach attend to Manny Pacquiao after the WBA welterweight champion’s match against Adrien Broner on Saturday in Las Vegas. Pacquiao’s camp assures the fighting senator’s left eye will heal in three days. —WENDELL ALINEA/MP PROMOTIONS
HOLLYWOOD—Buboy Fernandez allayed fears about Manny Pacquiao’s left eye that was grazed by Adrien Broner’s glove during their WBA welterweight title bout in Las Vegas on Saturday night (Sunday, Philippine time).
Fernandez said doctors have checked on Pacquiao after the eight-division champion complained of pain and partial loss of vision soon after he defeated Broner to keep his WBA belt at MGM Grand Arena.
“Broner was pressing his left glove on Manny and it rubbed on his eyes,” said best friend and chief trainer Fernandez in Filipino.
Pacquiao also wore dark eyeglasses during the post-fight press conference.
That triggered rumors that Pacquiao suffered a serious eye injury, like a detached retina which ended the career of Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard in the 1980s.
‘Be careful’
“I saw Broner doing that (long stance with right hand loaded up) because he was trying to launch that [Juan Manuel] Marquez punch on Manny,” said Fernandez. “Totally he (Broner) abandoned his jabs.”
That was when Fernandez warned Pacquiao to be cautious of Broner.
Fernandez said doctors ordered Pacquiao to rest his eyes for three days.
“The important thing is that our champion is safe,” added Fernandez.
Conflicting reports
International media reported that Pacquiao’s injury was caused by a devastating 1-2 punch from Broner.
Website www.nydailynews.com stated that “according to a member of Pacquiao’s camp who requested anonymity, the 40-year-old welterweight champ stayed up all night after the Broner bout playing chess, but complained of pain and vision loss in his left eye on Sunday morning. ‘He told me it was like covering one eye with his hand,’ the source said.”
Another camp member agreed with Fernandez, telling the Daily News that the injury was relatively minor, a corneal scratch from the tape on one of Broner’s gloves—an injury Pacquiao has suffered in previous fights.
Yet another website, www.talksport.com, even suggested that Pacquiao may have to retire because of the injury.
“Everything seemed fine following the win on Saturday night, but Pacquiao woke up in great distress Sunday morning,” wrote talksport.com.
Pac-May 2
Observers also feared that no Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. rematch would happen if indeed the Filipino’s eye is damaged.
Three years ago, the two fought in the “Fight of the Century” and Pacquiao wants to avenge his loss.
He immediately challenged the unbeaten five-weight world champion Mayweather, 41, to a rematch after beating Broner.
The retired Mayweather was at ringside in Las Vegas.
In the post-fight press conference, Pacquiao was repeatedly asked about the rematch.
“If [Mayweather] goes back to the ring and wants to challenge me, I’m a champion. Get back to the ring and we will fight again if he wants. If he wants to come out of retirement, then announce it and challenge me. I’m a champion and I don’t pick any opponent,” said Pacquiao. —WITH A REPORT FROM CNN.COM