Morning after: Swollen hand, face

LAS VEGAS — Some welts on the face and a swollen left hand for Manny Pacquiao. Some broken bones and a shattered ego for Erik Morales.

These are just some of the evident signs of last Saturday’s bruising encounter at the Thomas and Mack Center between two of the greatest boxers in the world today.

Pacquiao was a big winner as he knocked Morales down in the 10th round and earned the distinction of being the first fighter to cut short a fight against the skillful Mexican.

Pacquiao also became the first fighter to have knocked out probably the two toughest Mexican boxers today, having also stopped Marco Antonio Barrera in November, 2003.

Sunday noon, Pacquiao heard Mass inside his elegant two-bedroom suite at Wynn Las Vegas. Probably close to a hundred people packed the suite like sardines for the Mass.

Fr. Marlon Reof of Palawan, who’s now based in New York, officiated the mass. He was also at Pacquiao’s suite hours before the fight.

A couple of high-ranking government officials were around for the Mass. Pacquiao sat in a cozy chair during the one-hour Mass. He was only in shorts, t-shirt and slippers with socks on.

Pacquiao was asked to speak briefly during the Mass, thanking the Lord for giving him all the power and the great strength to avenge his 2004 loss to Morales. Pacquiao said he hoped that the victory would help unify his country where politics is said to be as rough and as soiled as the sport that he’s into.

"I will climb the ring and fight if only it can help forge unity among Filipinos," said Pacquiao. "That’s why I want to thank the Lord for giving me the strength to fight."

While Pacquiao was hearing Mass on the 51st floor of the very expensive Wynn Las Vegas, a badly-beaten Morales was at the casino area.

Morales was seen playing roulette with his lovely wife who is pregnant with their first child. One of those who saw Morales said "his face really looked bad."

The Moraleses left Las Vegas for Tijuana in the afternoon. They boarded the private jet which also brought the crafty 29-year-old boxer to Vegas last Tuesday.

Morales was taken to the hospital after Saturday’s bout and underwent precautionary tests, considering the terrible beating he absorbed against Pacquiao. Unconfirmed reports said Morales broke some ribs as a result of Pacquiao’s tremendous body shots. Some said he also suffered a broken nose, and bone spurs on the left side of the head.

Pacquiao had lunch at The Buffet of Wynn Las Vegas. He tried almost everything the long, long table could offer and made sure the $30 ticket was all worth it.

Then he went back up to his suite to get some rest. He received some more visitors in the afternoon though he was busier with his cellular phone, burning the lines with friends back home.

He also received a phone call from Rod Nazario, his former business manager. No one else knew what they talked about.

Then it was playtime at the casino. He played baccarat. Again, no one else knew what happened. Whether it was good or bust, nobody really cared. He was a big winner on the ring last Saturday. And that’s all that matters.