The nation goes into suspended animation today when Manny Pacquiao slugs it out with Mexican fighter Erik Morales over 12 rounds at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.
From the cozy living rooms of the elite to the cramped confines of slum areas all over the country, Filipinos are expected to witness the fight on television.
A few thousands, who paid R300 each, are expected to fill selected theaters at SM Mall and Rockwell Center in Metro Manila and in several other cities in the country to watch the fight live on the big screen.
President Arroyo, who is expected to watch the bout in her official residence, conveyed her wishes and prayers to Pacquiao yesterday.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye Jr. said the President and her administration are hopeful that Pacquiao would win the match today.
“Our President and the Filipino people are praying for our boxing idol, and we are hoping for victory for Manny Pacquiao tomorrow. Let us pray for Pacquiao,” he said.
Not since Pacquiao and Morales fought last year has a single event drawn greater interest among a people hungry for sports heroes.
Pacquiao epitomizes the Filipino dream. Raised in General Santos City by a mother who washed clothes for a living, Pacquiao went to boxing to carve his own legend.
Armed with the heart of a lion and a left that can fell a bull with a single blow, Pacquiao broke into the world limelight with a stunning 11th round stoppage of another Mexican legend, Marco Antonio Barrera, in November of 2003.
That catapulted Pacquiao to instant fame and a place in the elite list of the world’s best boxers, pound for pound.
From a modest 0,000 purse he earned in beating Barrera three years ago, Pacquiao will get million for his rematch with Morales.
Pacquiao, 27, is out to avenge his defeat last year to Morales and forge a possible return bout that guarantees him million.
The bout, should the Filipino win, is tentatively set in the middle of the year.
The revenge angle — a theme commonly used in local movies — is one reason why Filipinos are following the bout with interest and enthusiasm.
“The response is mind-boggling,” said Ants Ocampo, public relations officer of Solar Sports which is bringing the fight in the Philippines.
The live telecast feeds will also be shown in SM malls in Pampanga, Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo, according to Ocampo.
“All tickets in 36 theaters have been sold out a few days before the fight. More are asking even if they won’t have to watch it standing,” Ocampo disclosed.
Compared to the previous Pacquiao-Morales fight last year, the rematch is drawing a lot of television sponsors.
Ocampo, however, assured viewers of less commercial interruption even if this means sacrificing the telecast of action in the undercards.
“At most, the delay would be an hour,” she assured.
