SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Once again, the Filipino nation will set everything aside, including politics, and cheer for its favorite son, Manny Pacquiao, who faces undefeated Mexican slugger Jorge Solis Saturday evening here (Sunday noon in Manila).
The stage for this 12-rounder is set at the famous Alamodome, the sight of Pacquiao’s breakthrough victory over Mexican assassin Marco Antonio Barrera in an 11-round upset in November 2003.
Things, however, are a lot different now than when Pacquiao first came to San Antonio.
For one, the 28-year-old boxer from General Santos City in Mindanao is the overwhelming favorite. So huge are his chances of winning that odds-makers have practically offered the moon to those betting on the Mexican.
Another thing that makes this fight more interesting is that Pacquiao, arguably the greatest Filipino athlete ever, is simultaneously facing a very formidable opponent outside the ring.
Pacquiao is running as congressman in the May 14 elections, and is actually in the middle of a political campaign against Rep. Darlene Antonino Custodio, the charming incumbent seeking her third and last term.
How Pacquiao separates boxing from politics is quite a wonder to many.
Oftentimes, foreign journalists ask him, and his answers would find some space in major dailies here, like Friday’s New York Times.
Many believe that Pacquiao, a former street vendor now worth millions and millions of dollars, must win this fight against Solis for him to stand a better chance in his ambitious political bid.
But he said that’s not the case.
“This fight has nothing to do with politics. I’m doing this for our country and not for anything else. Since I started training here in the US last March, I’ve set politics aside. I have kept my focus on my training. I’ve focused on this fight,” Pacquiao said.
On the eve of the fight, Pacquiao was busy entertaining visitors gathered inside his suite at Radisson Hotel. He was calm and collected, often cracking jokes and old anecdotes.
Pacquiao was asked how he felt on the eve of the fight.
“Wala (Nothing). I’m very relaxed. I feel the same way when I fought my last fights. I feel confident. I’m confident of winning,” Pacquiao told reporters here.
Pacquiao said he didn’t want to talk politics for the meantime since his mind was focused on the fight.
“We’ll talk about that when we get home,” he said.
Pacquiao said he sacrificed a lot during his three-week training in Los Angeles, and during the last couple of days at a San Antonio gym owned by fellow boxer Jesse James Leija.
“In my training here, I really punished myself. I sacrificed a lot. And now I’ve done my work. It’s now up to the Lord when I fight in the ring tomorrow (today),” he said.
Will he go for an early win? An early knockout?
“It depends on how my opponent will move on the ring. I don’t know him too well so we’ll see first how he moves,” he added.
Pacquiao revealed in a live radio interview in his hometown of General Santos that he would introduce a new fighting strategy against Solis.
Pacquiao noted Solis’ undefeated record and said he would initiate some new techniques.
“We have some techniques to apply during the fight because of his style and his claims that he is better than me and no one has defeated him,” he said.
The 28-year old southpaw, however, did not elaborate on what new style they will be using against the undefeated opponent.
“So you better watch out for the new techniques today,” he said.
Pacquiao said he encountered no problem during his training notwithstanding the absence of his training coach Freddie Roach.
He said Justin Fortune handled his training and conditioning superbly.
“I will do all my best so that all the Filipino people will be happy,” Pacquiao said.
Even Custodio, Pacquiao’s political opponent said she’ll pray for his victory.
“He is really very strong,” Custodio told The STAR. “I’ll pray for his victory.”
Pacquiao told a live radio interview from his hometown in Gen. Santos City that he is fighting for the country.
He also requested to forget politics in the meantime. “There’s a proper time for politics and a time for all of us to unite. Let’s forget politics first,” he said.
Informed that his political opponent would also watch the bout, he said,”I’m happy that they will watch the fight and pray for me. That’s good and let us forget politics for the meantime.”
Pacquiao said will immediately fly back home after the fight to start campaigning.
Back home, his supporters converged last night in a special Mass held at Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish in General Santos City.
Military and police officials also conceded that today’s bout will bring unity to all Filipinos, including the rebels.
Brig. Gen. Carlos Holganza, commanding general of the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade, said the fight will be an “undeclared ceasefire” between the military and the New People’s Army (NPA) throughout the country.
Holganza said every time Pacquiao fights, “he brings unity among all Filipinos, combatants and non-combatants alike.”
Holganza said streets around the country will be almost empty because everyone will be watching the fight in his home or at the mall or cinema.
Even the police take a break since every time there is a Pacquiao fight the crime rate is virtually zero.
“(Today’s bout) is one battle where we can watch with honor and delight,” Holganza said, adding that government troops also want to relax and be entertained. – With John Paul Jubelag
