LAS VEGAS, Nevada, United States of America — It was not the first time he had heard of it, but Manny Pacquiao, who returned to this dazzling capital for a shot at immortality yesterday, stammered and shook his head when reminded of the overwhelming clamor for a knockout victory back home.
He can’t say it, a fidgety Pacquiao explained a day after a poll of several fight experts gave the most famous living Filipino only a 50-50 chance of beating Mexican boxing great Erik Morales.
“Mahirap, hindi puwede masabi (It’s tough, you can never tell),” he shrugged.
The two warriors of contrasting styles and upbringing clash on Saturday evening (Sunday morning in Manila) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, with Pacquiao making it as the first fighter from the Orient to headline a monumental pay-per-view card.
The odds in the fight are expected to even up toward the weekend, with Mexican money set to flood the sports booking counters here.
Pacquiao, who was heavily favored when the card was bared in January, however, enjoyed a slight minus-130 edge at the windows. This means a fan could win only $100 if he puts $130 on Pacquiao.
A $110 bet on Morales would pay $100.
No red carpet was rolled out but Pacquiao, who could have been mistaken for a straying Filipino seaman with his moustache and baby beard, received a welcome fit for a visiting dignitary when he entered the vast MGM Grand main lobby, with his lovely wife, Jinkee, in tow.
Pacquiao, in a thin yellow jacket bearing the insignia of Team Pacquiao, was led onto a special podium as security people tried to control spectators who mingled with a big group of mediamen.
After he was through talking to reporters, Pacquiao was made to lead his entourage into a carpeted VIP room where he got adoring assistance from the staff as he ordered seven rooms for his big group that drove here from Los Angeles in a seven-car convoy.
Pacquiao told the Inquirer he felt as strong as he was when he fought Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez to a controversial draw here last May.
But, just to make sure he does not get derailed and suffer foot blisters again, Pacquiao said he brought enough pairs of extra thick socks.
“Darlington, siyempre,” he quipped.
He finished sparring earlier yesterday, completing a total of 161 rounds at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. Pacquiao will, however, continue to jog in the morning and do regular afternoon gym work until Thursday.
The official weigh-in will be on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Inquirer yesterday continued to receive text messages from Manila insisting Pacquiao would prevail by knockout inside six rounds. Two of the messages came from renowned jazz artist Richard Merck and restaurateur Peter Lee of the Mr. Peter Lee’s Hong Kong Tea House chain.
Pacquiao, in a brief talk with the Inquirer before he entered the VIP room, assured that he would try his very best for his countrymen.
“Pero kailangan respetuhin din natin si Morales (We must respect Morales),” he said.
Morales is expected to check in at the MGM Grand today, straight from his training site in the Mexican mountains.
Pacquiao is himself aware that Morales would be coming in at his best form for their March 19 showdown.
Pacquiao was given a suite with a one-way phone, while his wife will be staying in a separate room on the 18th floor of the MGM Grand whose lobbies are adorned with framed, lighted pictures of Pacquiao and Morales drumbeating the rare RP-vs-Mexico boxing fiesta.
