LAS VEGAS - When he was just 18 years old seven-time world champion Manny Pacquiao said he had a fellow fighter die in his arms.

The boxer was fighting on the undercard of one of Pacquiao's bouts.

Pacquiao was reminded Saturday (Sunday in Manila) of the incident more than 20 years ago when Filipino bantamweight Z Gorres was hospitalized with a serious head injury following his victory over Juan Melendez of Colombia in Las Vegas.

"I pray to God for his recovery and I am very sorry for him and his family," said Pacquiao before his 12-round technical knockout of Miguel Cotto in a WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand hotel.

Gorres, who was fighting on a smaller Las Vegas boxing card, was hurt in the last half minute of his fight Friday at nearby Mandalay Bay hotel.

Pacquiao's trainer and former boxer Freddie Roach said Filipino superstar understands the risks whenever he steps in the ring.

"He told me this is what we do. This is what we signed on for," Roach said of Pacquiao.

The Los Angeles Times reported Saturday that Gorres had undergone surgery to reduce swelling on his brain and that he would be in a medically induced coma for a few days.

Gorres was winning his fight when he got hit hard late in the 10th and final round and fell down. He got back up finished the fight but struggled to get back to his corner.

He collapsed in the ring and had to be carried out on a stretcher.

Doctors said Gorres is responding to treatment, the Times reported.