Boxing tournament suspends fights in the Philippines
The welterweight world title fight between Filipino idol Manny Pacquiao and undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr., being called the "fight of the century," is expected to mark a rare moment of unity in the Southeast Asian nation. "We expect Maoist rebels and Islamic extremists to stop and watch the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight," said Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, adding that large screens will be installed at military bases, including conflict zones. Pacquiao is a reserve lieutenant colonel in the armed forces.
Reuters - From air-conditioned meeting rooms to packed, energy-filled public gyms, Filipinos are counting down the hours until local idol Manny Pacquiao fights undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas.
The fight for the world welterweight title, which is being called the "fight of the century," will bring the country to a standstill this Sunday and mark a rare moment of unity in the Southeast Asian nation.
"We expect the Maoist rebels and Islamic extremists to stop and watch the fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather," said Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, a spokesman for the Army, adding that large screens will be installed at military bases, including conflict zones.
"Filipinos are all united behind our hero. We are all rooting for Manny. We hope for a peaceful day, without crime, without fighting."
Pacquiao is a lieutenant colonel in the reserve of the armed forces.
Even a 70 kg chocolate cake, life-size like Pacquiao, which took two weeks to prepare, was displayed this Saturday in Manila, and pieces of it will be distributed after the fight.
Cinemas and restaurants have already sold out tickets for the final, and even prisoners at Saranggani prison will have the chance to watch the duel.
Taxi driver Manolo Garcia said he will stop for a few hours to listen to the fight on the radio.
"He can win or lose, I'm Manny Pacquiao," he said. "I'll pray for him, I'll pray for his victory. God is on his side."
Local boxing analysts say the pressure is all on Mayweather, who wants to keep his professional fight record spotless.
A virtual punching bag installed three weeks ago by ABS-CBN, the largest television network in the Philippines, has already received more than 86 million punches in Manila, in an initiative to support and transfer energy to eight-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao.
The Manila Electric Company has assured its customers that there will be no blackouts on the day of the fight, but the power generators located on the island of Mindanao may not be able to meet the electricity demand.
"We want to avoid a riot here. We are prepared for it," said Maria Cora Tito, a tourism agent in the city of General Santos, while showing Reuters a backup power generator.