MARAWI CITY – Despite sporadic brownouts, Meranaos will not allow themselves to be left behind in the excitement over the “The Battle!,” the championship fight for the World Boxing Council’s International Super Featherweight title between Erik “El Terrible” Morales and the Philippines’ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.
Today’s match at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas is a sequel to their March 19, 2005 championship fight won by Morales.
The championship is scheduled Saturday night in Las Vegas (Sunday morning in the Philippines).
A number of Meranao professionals went to nearby Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities to make sure they avail of continuous electricity. Helen Acoon, president of the Senator Ninoy Aquino College Foundation went to Cagayan de Oro to watch the game.
Students and those who could not afford out-of-town trips trooped to the gym of Mindanao State University where a screen has been placed to project the game using a generator to avail of non-stop electricity, courtesy of the MSU administration.
Others such as Atty. Gani Abubakar, head of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Lanao del Sur, went to the internet to surf for updates.
Judge Saadudin Alauya Jr. predicts , “Baka aabot ng 12 rounds, with Morales getting knocked out at 7th round. Pacman would win.”
Padoman Paporo, Shariah lawyer and teacher at the University Teacher’s Center, agrees. “Pacman is well prepared to win. God willing,” he said.
