Filipinos are gathering en masse at the sprawling Venetian Macao on the Cotai strip to witness their icon Manny Pacquiao take on Mexican-American Brandon Rios for a world boxing title in a “once in a lifetime” opportunity.
The Clash in Cotai could be the first and only chance for home-grown fans to see the Pacman fight in a professional boxing match on their doorstep before he considers retirement if he loses tomorrow morning’s World Boxing Organisation welterweight title fight.
Engineer Numer Leyesa, 49, came from Hong Kong with his son Ethan, 9, to watch their first-ever fight. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Leyesa said.
Until now, he said he watched the drama of Pacquiao’s fights on television. The rest of the group are all nodding. Seven years have passed since Pacquiao last fought on home soil in 2006, defeating Oscar Larios in Quezon City.
The Leyesas are joined by friends Jojo Sautiago, 39; Romualdo Dispo, 47, and Ruben Morales, 81, for the pilgrimage to the Venetian. All five, undeterred by the high price, nabbed mid-tier tickets to get a decent view of the punches, blood and sweat. They expect a knockout in no more than nine rounds.
Macau-based Filipino Rommel Lopez, 28, said he was delighted to catch a glimpse of Pacquiao at the hotel. He said it would make up for losing a day of work tomorrow.
Recently retired English soccer legend David Beckham was also in town to announce a tie-up with casino operator Sands China and back Pacquiao.
Beckham said he sent his love to the people of the Philippines, after the country experienced devastating loss of life from Typhoon Haiyan.
Throughout the day, a steady stream of people took the chance to get a computer-generated photo with Pacquiao and Rios. It was one of the main attractions for fans who did not get tickets.
A Philippines consulate for Macau spokeswoman, who expected a large contingent to travel just for the fight, said: “All Filipinos in Macau are very excited about Manny’s fight and everybody is praying for victory.”
The Venetian Macao, the world’s biggest casino, has seen “overwhelming demand” for tickets in the lead-up to the main event. Only a handful of ringside seats remain unsold.
The fight is part of the resort’s drive to be more than just a gambling destination.
