?TIGHT? SECURITY WITHIN THE CAMPS
Manila, RP-The entire boxing world will be focused on the site where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought in 1975, Araneta Coliseum. A little closer to what I call home here, every security procedure has been put into effect to ensure the fight will be historic. While checking into the Discovery Suites, minutes away from the Coliseum, two S.W.A.T Team officers, armed with M-16 rifles, escorted me into the front door. This was afforded not only to international media members, but also to special VIP?s who flew from different parts of the country. The entire S.W.A.T team is on red alert, even at the hotel.
LARIOS WILL ROLL IN DEEP COVER
Oscar Larios and his team requested 15 S.W.A.T members to escort his team to the Coliseum early Sunday morning. Larios, who has been treated very well, is finally getting the world championship treatment he?s been wanting, even after defending his green 122 lb. belt eight times. Larios tipped the scales at a trip and ready 129 lbs, one pound under the super featherweight weight limit.
PACQUIAO MAKES HIS OWN RULES
While Larios is staying at the Discovery Suites, Manny Pacquiao elected to remain at the Manila Hotel, which is far from the Dome. For normal Philippine citizens, it could take up to 30 minutes to get from the Manila Hotel to the Big Dome, but not if you?re the Icon. According to the Enforcer, Rob Peters, it takes far less time to get there because of their everyday police escort. Peters went on to say they checked into the Manila Hotel, minutes away from a popular jogging area, two weeks ago and that they?ve ?built a routine, we?re comfortable with?. Peters, who makes his first visit to the country, is strictly there for business (AKA Manny’s security) as he?s been on call ?24 hours a day? to make sure Pacquiao gets from point A to point B.
S.W.A.T TEAM HIT THE BIG DOME AT 4AM
Remember, HBO backed out of televising the fight because of the fear of having a major television network in a politically unstable environment. Although neither President Gloria Arroyo nor her husband Mike Arroyo will attend in person, security is not taking any chances of a mishap occurring. As early as 4 AM, S.W.A.T teams will search every part of the Coliseum, with K-9 bomb snifters, to make sure the Dome will be safe even before people enter.
COUNTRY?S UNDER MICROSCOPE, LET?S PROVE HBO WRONG
Facing reality, there weren’t many PPV commercials shown at the states, with Direc TV being the exception, and national media attention is nill. It would be surprising if they sold over 100,000 buys. In a perfect world, millions of HBO subscribers, of all races, could see how much of an Icon Pacquiao really is. As Manny said when signing to fight in Manila, ?This is a gift to my countrymen?. There will definitely be ?Fire in the Ring? but if the capacity crowd can get into the entire event, maybe HBO will kick itself for not covering this historic night in Philippine Boxing.
