After a bit of apprehension, the country eventually got what it was waiting for as Manny Pacquiao delivered the hammer-like blows that finally put away a game Jorge Solis in the eighth round of their 12-round bout yesterday.
Though the fight did not carry the same degree of anticipation and fear for the worse when the Filipino icon fought Erick Morales last November, it was nevertheless a nerve-wracking wait for die-hard Pacquiao fans who watched Solis dance repeatedly out of danger before running smack into a Pacquiao cross midway in the eighth that knocked the Mexican down before absorbing the knockout punch several seconds later.
“Akala ko tatagal talaga kasi magalaw si Solis,” said one fan among several thousand who paid P500 for a theater seat to watch the midmorning fight “live” from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
The fight was also aired “live” on giant television screens in various parts of the country, including the southern city of General Santos where Pacquiao is using his boxing fame to run for a congressional seat.
President Arroyo congratulated the hugely popular boxer for his victory over previously-unbeaten Jorge Solis, saying “the fighting faith of Manny Pacquiao is the fighting faith of the Filipino.”
She said his victories in world competition should be matched by the country’s victory over “poverty and injustice.”
Arroyo’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, who is still recovering from major heart surgery on Tuesday, was not allowed to watch the fight as it might make him too emotional. His doctors said they would inform him of the outcome later.
In General Santos City, Rep. Darlene Antonino Custodio, her family and party members were on hand to watch the fight at the city gymnasium with 5,000 people, even though Pacquiao is running against her in the May 14 elections.
Asked what effect his victory in the ring would have on the coming polls, Custodio said, “It’s up to the people but as far as the (political leaders) in the city, they will still give him a hero’s welcome.”
Custodio could be seen cheering with the rest of the crowd when Pacquiao, affectionately known here as the Pacman, weathered a head butt in the sixth round to win a knockout in the eighth round.
Her political party had previously filed a court petition for the fight not to be aired in General Santos, saying this would constitute unfair political advertising, but they withdrew their petition in the face of widespread public anger.
Television footage of the fight showed Filipinos at the Texas stadium, cheering a triumphant Pacquiao with the chant “congressman.”
In Manila, about 3,000 spectators in a public stadium cheered and punched their fists in the air as they watched the fight on a giant screen.
“I was so overjoyed, I couldn’t even imagine this,” said taxi driver Joel Cawan, 28, who is also from General Santos.
“I follow all of his fights. I am just so happy to see his fights. I stop driving every time he fights,” even if it means losing fares, he said.
However when asked if he would vote for Pacquiao in the coming elections, Cawan smirked and said, “I will not vote for him.
“Pacquiao is good in helping others, in helping the less fortunate, (but) politics is a dirty game. He may lose his credibility if he becomes a politician,” he said.
In a post-fight interview aired over local television, Pacquiao refused to capitalize on his latest victory, saying “I am uniting our Filipinos in this hour. I do not want to talk about politics. But I showed that I can manage these two different things.”
Meanwhile, a rousing welcome for Manny is being prepared by the City Government of Manila.
The traditional champion’s parade for Manila’s favorite adopted son is now being drawn up in anticipation to the World Boxing Council (WBC) International Super Featherweight Champion’s arrival in Manila on Tuesday.
An estimated 60,000 people composed of the city’s barangay officials and residents trooped to nine different venues in the six districts of Manila set up by the city government for free public viewing to witness the fight telecast live through giant screens in cooperation with Solar All Access.
“This is another major victory for Manny and the Filipino people. At kami ay tunay na natutuwa hindi lamang dahil sa pagkapanalo ni Manny na patuloy na nagbubuklod sa atin mga Pilipino, kung hindi ay dahil nabigyan natin ng kasiyahan ang mga kababayan nating taga Maynila,” said Mayor Atienza.
Mayor Atienza, former Presidential Assistant for Youth and Sports Arnold “Ali” Atienza, also the former chairman of the Manila Sports Council (MASCO) and Inner-City Development Committee who started the free-per-view project, together with Bheng Atienza, Deputy Mayor Don Bagatsing, as well as city hall luminaries and officials were at the San Andres Sports and Civic Center to watch the “great show” as promised by the Filipino ring icon.
“We look forward to Manny’s return and hope he continues to use his talent for the greater good,” said the young Atienza, who has been the chief organizer of past welcome activities of the city for Pacquiao.
Filled to the rafters were the Tondo Sports Complex, Sentro ng Malikhaing Manile?o (formerly Patricia Sports Complex), Delpan Sports Complex, Sen. Arturo Tolentino Sports Complex (formerly Dapitan), San Andres Sports and Civic Center, Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Memorial Track Stadium, Balut Covered Court and RASAC Covered Court.
