VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao is hot.
In fact, the excitement that Pacquiao generated from stopping Mexican fighter Erik Morales on Sunday has spilled over to ebay, the online American auction store.
“Pacquiao items” — from autographed posters to boxing gloves to lighters to action figures — have been offered for sale.
The hottest item on the online auction block is the official “Team Pacquiao” jacket, which has been bid on nine times since Jan. 23, a day after Pacquiao floored Morales.
Originally selling for $50, the jacket is now worth $152.50.
Jacket
An ebay member from the Philippines, identified as “blazer1024,” is selling the white and red jacket bearing the logos of Pacquiao’s corporate sponsors.
Another hot item is a pair of Everlast gloves autographed by Pacquiao. It sells for $174.99.
Another pair of boxing gloves with autographs of both Pacquiao and Morales has been sold for $127.50. The bidding started at $124.99.
An autographed 12″ by 18″ photograph of the contenders was not so hot, selling for only $2. But an 8″ by 10″ photograph signed only by Pacquiao was sold for $29.99.
A signed Pacquiao-Morales rematch poster is selling for $16.50, up from its original price of $9.99.
Chrome lighter
A Pacquiao “No Fear” shirt is selling for $17, from the original price of $15.
A Pacquiao chrome lighter, made by a jewelry store in Canada, is selling for $19.98.
But some items, such as DVD copies of the rematch, remain unsold.
Other items still searching for buyers are a TKO mitt signed by both Pacquiao and Morales ($149.99) and an autographed headgear ($124.99).
Another Pacquiao item still searching for a buyer is a new pair of white wristbands.
Wristbands ignored
Despite pleas from a Connecticut-based seller, the wristbands are being ignored.
“This package of wristbands is extremely rare and difficult to find. Even in Manila it is difficult to find Darlington products featuring Manny’s endorsement. As Manny says, ‘Darlington, siyempre.’ Here is your chance to own this brand new pair of wristbands. Supply is extremely limited,” the seller wrote.
A Philippine-based seller is also having a hard time selling videotaped copies of the 10 fights of Pacquiao against Mexican fighters Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez.
Singson gives side
The bout was widely watched in the Philippines and Pacquiao’s victory lifted the spirits of Filipinos.
But the appearance of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson in the ring right after Pacquiao defeated Morales drew sharp criticism.
Singson yesterday explained his presence in the ring at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
“Manny signaled me to join him in the ring. So I did. What’s wrong with that?” Singson said in a statement.
“It would have been bad if I did not honor his invitation. He might have been offended.”
To his critics, Singson said: “They are just envious.”
