The support of the ” seventh most patriotic nation in the world ” for its boxing hero Manny Pacquiao is overwhelming as he climbs into the ring at the historic Araneta Coliseum this morning against two-time Mexican world champion Oscar Larios.
But not everybody is happy about it. With hardly nobody rooting for Larios, bookies are finding a dry bone in their pockets. The odds in Cebu? A lopsided 10-3 in favor of Pacquiao.
Thousands will flock to the Big Dome, whose inauguration on March 16, 1960 saw Cebuano fighter Gabriel ” Flash ” Elorde beat American Harold Gomes to win the world junior lightweight title and hold it for seven long years to become one of the greatest Filipino boxers ever.
Thirty-three thousand Filipinos saw that fight, in the same weight division than Pacquiao will be fighting today. Roughly about that many will see the fight today at the coliseum, but will have to pay so much more to get inside than it was then.
Reserved seats today will fetch something like P50,000. During Elorde’s time, reserved ringside seats cost P5 with ringside seats costing only 80 centavos.
Another big difference? Millions more will be able to watch the fight ” live ” on tv, but will have to endure what Freeman publisher Juanito Jabat calls ” a cavalcade of commercials interrupted sometimes by boxing. ” Commercial-free coverage via satellite is available on pay-per-view and at selected establishments, but for a premium price.
President Arroyo is expected to arrive today from a brief European swing and will be watching the fight. She is a fan of Pacquiao and has a lot to thank the boxer for.
For one, Pacquiao has been a unifying force for the fractious Filipinos, a vociferous segement of which wants Arroyo out of office. At one time or another, Pacquiao has pitched for Arroyo but many doubt if his endorsement had any real political effect.
The fight is worth $1 million for Pacquiao and $450,000 for Larios..
Larios, who dreams of beating Pacquiao in his own turf to avenge the string of losses by a number of Mexican legends in the Filipino’s hands, is a dangerous opponent in that he has everything to gain and almost nothing to lose.
That is the reason why Pacquiao’s American trainer Freddie Roach wants his ward to finish off Larios as early as possible. Roach fears that Pacquiao may take Larios into the later rounds to accommodate the cheering adulation of Filipinos and thus unnecessarily open himself up to some unforeseen development, like a headbutt, a cut, or even a lucky punch.
Pacquiao’s last fight was in January this year in Las Vegas where he demolished Mexican legend Erik Morales.
The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds at 130 pounds. At the official weigh-in yesterday, Pacquiao tipped the scales at 129 and 1/2 pounds while Larios made it at a flat 129 pounds.
After the official weigh-in, both fighters posed for photographers, tapping each other on the shoulders, smiling and flexing their muscles before putting their shirts back on.
The world superfeatherweight crown is not at stake in this fight. It’s safely in the hands of another Mexican, Marco Antonio Barrera, who’ll probably watch the fight from Mexico via pay-per-view.
Barrera is aching to avenge an 11th round knockout loss to Pacquiao in 2003. But before he gets that chance, Pacquiao will first face Morales in a deciding third match in November.
” The world title is not on the line right now because it’s with Barrera. But Pacquiao is the people’s champion right now and a lot of people consider him as the best fighter at 130 pounds right now, ” said Roach.
The Philippines versus Mexico card will start at 8 a.m. with ALA ring star Czar Amonsot taking on Silverio Ortiz. This will be followed by the match between former WBC superflyweight champion Gerry Pe?alosa and Tomas Rojas. The fight between Jimrex Jaca and Hector Marquez is next, then the Pacquiao-Larios date with history.
Pacquiao sports a 41-3-2 win-loss-draw record with 33 kos while Larios is 56-4-1 with 36 kos.
Rafael Mendoza, Larios’ agent, said they’re expecting a tough fight but that his ward is ready for whatever Pacquiao will bring into the fight.
“Larios is physically and mentally prepared for this fight. Pacquiao is very dangerous in the first six rounds and we know he will jump over Larios and try to knock him out even in the first round, ” said Mendoza. ” But Larios is ready for whatever kind of attack Pacquiao will bring in the fight. “
Win or lose, Mendoza said his trip to the Philippines is both remarkable and memorable. He thanked the Filipinos for the warm reception they received and for according him ” the best hospitality of my life as a boxing promoter. “
The referee in charge of the fight is Bruce McTavish of New Zealand while the judges are Humbert Forgoni of France, Daniel Van de Viele of Belgium and Nopharat Sicharon of Thailand. To announce the fight is Michael Buffer of the famed and now patented one-liner ” let’s get ready to rumble. “
While there is difficulty placing bets on the outcome of a fight where almost everybody is for only one fighter, the irrepressible gambling streak in the Filipino has given way to other modes of placing bets, which can involve not just cash but other items such as jewelry and cellphones.
These bets are placed on which round Pacquiao will knock Larios out. – Philippine Star New Service, Manny Villaroel, Edwin Melecio
