MANILA, Philippines — Jail inmates in the Mandaluyong police station cheered to the world’s greatest boxer Manny Pacquiao who dominated Mexican Antonio Margarito in a 12-round unanimous victory in Texas.
Peering through the bars of their jail cell to watch the delayed telecast on TV, the suspected law offenders chanted Pacquiao’s name every time a punch landed on the face of his Mexican opponent.
The policemen opened a door to their office so inmates could watch the telecast of the fight.
Upon sensing that Pacquiao had won, one inmate said ?O, panalo na ako! (I won),? referring to the typical betting during Pacquiao’s fight.
But a police officer wondered aloud: ?Is there someone who would dare to bet for Pacquiao?s opponent??
?Hindi talaga siya (Pacquiao) napapagod. (He never gets tired)? another policeman quipped.
Although Pacquiao’s victory did not come as a shocker after winning seven world crowns in the past, around 4,000 Mandaluyong folk still trooped to the Mandaluyong city gymnasium where the 17-year-old Pacquiao fought and started building his street cred.
Mayor Benhur Abalos with LBC, a money remittance company, offered a free live feed of the fight.
Cheers for every punch of Pacquaio shook the stadium as the crowd was gripped by excitement.
?We were no longer surprised. You could see during the eighth round that Pacquiao has won. But it was a rather good fight,? Cruzelie Cruz, an employee of Mandaluyong city hall.
?I knew from the start that Pacquiao would prevail. He was strong and fast even if Margarito was taller,? August Monica, an ice cream vendor said.
For most, the fight of Pacquiao has turned into a holiday.
Felix Rubino Jr., a company driver, filed a leave so he could watch the fight live. He tagged along his son and went to the city stadium around 9 a.m. ahead of the others to find a good place to sit and watch.
?Wala talagang trabaho kapag laban ni Pacquiao. Idol ko yan e. (There’s really no work during Paquiao’s fight. He’s my idol.)? De Leon said.
Tricycle driver Pepito Ostan, meanwhile, skipped plying his routes on Sunday. ?Mababawi rin naman ang kita sa ibang araw, (I can still earn money on some other day),? he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
