Pacquiao KO'd in 6th

After battling three times, with each fight ending in controversial decisions, Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez finally earned a decisive victory over his rival, Pinoy boxing icon Manny Pacquiao before 16,348 spectators at the MGM Grand Garden Sunday (PH time).

In round six, the two fighters exchanged in toe-to-toe action. Pacquiao was ahead in points in the first and second round until the third when he was floored when Marquez caught him in the chin with a wicked right straight.

Pacquiao got up as the referee counted the mandatory eight count.

In the fourth round, Pacquiao again controlled the tempo, hitting Marquez with combinations.

Apparently out to avenge his knock down in the third round, Pacquiao put more pressure on his Mexican opponent, dominating the round when suddenly he caught Marquez with a powerful left hook that sent Marquez down as the referee counted the eight count before the two boxing legends continued to exchange punches.

It was a clear round for Pacquiao.

As the sixth round opened, Pacquiao immediately swarmed on Marquez with a series of left, right combinations as Marquez retreated to a corner.

Pacquiao continued his assault when suddenly, Marquez threw a hard right, catching Pacquiao on the chin.

The Filipino boxer floored on all fours, face down on the canvas, unconscious that the referee did not bother to count.

Under the rule, a boxer knocked down before a round ended cannot be saved by the bell.

The crowd was surprised at the sudden ending of the fight of the decade.

The official time of the knockdown was 2:59 of the sixth round. It was the first time that Pacquiao lost by knockout since 1999.

Earlier, Pacquiao and Marquez three times since 2004 with the first a draw and the second and third with Pacquiao winning.

Marquez insisted that he won the three previous fights.

FACE MARQUEZ ANEW

Pacquiao said he plans to rest for a while but insisted that he will be back to train and fight next year.

Pacquiao, too, was open to facing Marquez for the fifth time.

"No problem. That's up to my promoter."

"[I will] take a rest. After a few months, back to training and back to fight."

SHOCKED

On social media, Filipinos were shocked over Pacquiao's defeat, but were also quick to rally behind the fallen champion.

The hashtag #ManaloMataloManYoureStillTheBestPacman was among the top trending topics in the Philippines, while #FilipinoPride was the top trending topic in the world.

"There are just too many reasons to be proud of this man. One defeat won’t change that," tweeted Leigh Precia.

"Heartbreaking. First time ko s'ya nakitang na KO," said Twitter user @deSuperDee.

"Nakakasad naman ang nangyari kay Pacquiao. Nangatal ako dun ha," added Christian Patiga on Twitter.

Even Vice President Jejomar Binay expressed his admiration to the “Pambansang Kamao” and lauded Pacquiao’s “heart of a champion.”

“Manny trained hard and he fought hard in the ring. He has shown that he has the true heart of a champion and made us all proud to be Filipinos.”

“I am certain that Manny will rise from this adversity a better and stronger person with his faith in the Almighty even more unshakeable. We are proud of you, Manny,” he added.

TIME TO RETIRE

Meanwhile, Pacquiao's mother, Dionisia, is hoping that her son will quit the sport.

“Di ko na kaya, tama na yang boksing (I can’t take it anymore…enough with boxing),” she told reporters in between sobs.

Mommy Dionisia, as she is fondly called here, was praying the rosary along with her close friends at the prayer room of the Pacquiao mansion in barangay Lagao when Pacquiao was knocked down by Marquez.

When told that her son was unable to move after falling face down on the canvass, she felt pity and was deeply worried of the latter’s condition.

“Tama na. Naluoy ko sa akong anak (That’s enough. I pity my son),” she said.

Manny’s sister Liza Onding, who was watching the fight at the mansion along with other relatives, said she could not yet believe that it happened to her brother.

“I don’t understand why it happened. But we can’t do anything more for now than accept it and try to move on,” she said in the vernacular.

She also asked Manny to now consider retiring from boxing before anything worse could happen to him.

“I want him to stop now. He should stop listening to them (promoters) and think about his family,” Liza said.

"Hindi hayop ang anak ko. Hindi siya puwede puwersahin ni Bob Arum na lumaban uli. Dapat na siya mag-retire. Sobra sobra na ang blessings na ibinigay sa kanya ni Lord. Two years old pa lang siya muntik na siya mamatay. Ayokong makita na may mangyari pa sa kanya habang nagboboksing," Mommy Dionisia said over GMA 7.

WHAT ILONGGOS THINK

"Like in all the other sport there is, what makes one a winner will forever be his will to win. While Manny definitely has it, this time, Marquez had it more. It is quite evident that he has so much fire within him. Undeniable so, he also outplayed and outwitted Manny. He was the better fighter today. It's something the Filipinos should come to terms with. Manny retiring? I didn't see that bit. That question is not for me to answer. He is the bearer of his own anatomy and physiology. I'm sure he has his own reasons as to why he still continues to pursue his boxing career," said Kim Louise Areno.

Meanwhile, Lisa Angelie Gapac, reporter of The Visayan Daily Star said, "He should have retired even before this fight. I would agree to his Mom's opinion to retire from boxing after winning the match against Shane Mosely. He had everything in him and there is no need to prove it over and over again. Early retirement is better not only for his career but also for the sake of his children and his health.  After earning $8 million in this fight, he should retire. He may have the money but he also brought disappointment to Filipinos and even to his family and kids who look up to him."

On the other hand, Chanel Ortigas, a seafer, thinks that Pacquiao should continue fighting. "He needs a devastating win to end his career. Losing is a part of the game. Manny now needs positive opinions and more encouragement to save him from depression.**PNA/GMA News/Louine Hope Conserva