Anticipation for “fight of the century” reaches a crescendo

Philippines, Vegas come to a standstill as Pacquiao takes on Mayweather

LAS VEGAS/ MANILA:

Manny Pacquiao will enter the ring for boxing’s “fight of the century” with an entire country in his corner as the Philippines grinds to a halt to cheer on its favourite son against Floyd Mayweather on Saturday.

Streets will be empty on fight day as the impoverished nation of 100 million cheers its “National Fist” in huge open-air screenings, cinemas, bars and homes.

Pacquiao’s image is ubiquitous — emblazoned across giant billboards lining major highways and on shirts, dolls and stamps in stores everywhere.

The rags-to-riches story of Pacquiao, along with his famously humble manner, has made him a towering national hero.

For many of his fellow countrymen the 36-year-old, winner of an unprecedented eight world championships in different weight divisions, symbolises their hope of escaping the grinding poverty that afflicts his countrymen.

Hundreds of cinema screens will show the fight from Las Vegas, displacing the Hollywood smash “Avengers: Age of Ultron”, according to screening schedules.

The country’s three biggest networks said they would air it on free television. Giant screens will be set up in covered courts, village halls and military and police camps.

On Palawan Island, the electricity utility has even urged its customers to turn off their refrigerators to avoid electricity shortages that could black out TV sets.

In the southern area of Santa Catalina, still reeling from a rebel siege two years ago, hundreds will cram into several houses with pay-per-view access to the fight, said village leader Jimmy Villaflores.

Police expect criminals to be just as avidly following the action broadcast from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“Pacquiao has a proven impact on the occurrence of crimes. The crime rate goes down because everybody is holed up watching him fight,” said national police spokesman Senior Superintendent Bartolome Tobias.

The fight has taken on an epic hue, pitching the modest David of the Philippines against an American Goliath, the brash and undefeated Mayweather.

Even God is on the side of the born-again Christian, according to many in Asia’s bastion of Roman Catholicism.

The “Pac-man”, who started his career as a fish port worker, is now also a member of the parliament, actor, basketball professional and popular singer. His supporters want him to run for the presidency.

Come whatever may, Pacquaio’s fans in a nation used to overcoming adversity will remain devoted to their hero.

Mayweather plans to strike early against Pacquiao

Mayweather says he is going to come out swinging and be the aggressor early against Pacquiao.

The 38-year-old Mayweather, who is putting his undefeated record on the line, usually needs a few rounds to feel out and adjust to his opponent’s game plan.

“I am going to approach it in a very aggressive way and go out there and press the attack early,” said Mayweather. “Of course I would love to win by knockout. I am pretty sure he is going to come at me extremely strong. I am facing one of the best fighters I have ever faced.”

Mayweather’s disclosure is welcome news to boxing fans who are being charged a hefty $100 for the pay-per-view to watch the fight in their homes. The 12-round welterweight unification fight is expected to generate a record $400 million in revenue.

Mayweather’s longevity in the sport has been attributed to his brilliant defence and counterpunching skills but it also makes for some boring fights. Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said he goes to sleep watching some of Mayweather’s title fights.

Mayweather, who is the world’s highest grossing athlete, said he would spend the next day and half before the fight doing light workouts and relaxing. “I want to be relaxed and calm. I just try to have tunnel vision when I am on my way to the gym,” he said.

Mayweather, who is 47-0 with 26 KOs, said the secret to his unblemished record is that he never takes any opponent lightly. “Even if I am fighting someone who they say is just a regular guy, I am still going to train extremely hard.”

Mayweather added he doesn’t watch tapes of his opponents because he learns all he needs to about them once they are trading blows in the ring. “I never watch my opponent. I feel like you can have a certain game plan, but once you get inside that square circle the game plan changes,” said Mayweather. “Boxers may fight certain guys the same way, but they fight me different.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2015.

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