Philippines prepares for Pacman

By Roy Ramos and Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY

From north to south, rich to poor, and soldiers to rebels, Filipinos country-wide were united Saturday to prepare for the arrival of their king - Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, who fights undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Sunday (Philippines time) for three different world welterweight titles.

The 36-year-old's image is emblazoned across giant billboards lining major roads, and on dolls, shirts and stamps, as the impoverished nation of 100 million prepares to watch its hero in huge open-air screenings, cinemas, bars, and homes. 

The encounter is billed as the "Fight of the Century," and has been the topic of conversations everywhere in this Southeast Asian country since the first day the bout was confirmed.

"We are hopeful for Pacquiao to win," boxing trainer Arsenio "Rawhide" Nuevo told The Anadolu Agency on Friday. "Our hero delivers strong punches than Mayweather."

However, boxing fan and retired journalist Vic Arevalo delivered a warning.

"Pacquiao must keep pace with Mayweather's expected running around the ring to avoid engagements."

For many, Pacquiao symbolizes escape from the grinding poverty that afflicts one in four Filipinos. The Pacman is their fighter, champion and hero. He exemplifies their aspirations and spirit.

In the predominantly Christian city of Zamboanga in the country's Muslim south, men and women - young and old - were gearing for the encounter. Lady mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar and her retired general husband Trifonio Salazar have even flown to Las Vegas to watch the fight live.

Thousands are expected to converge on two local universities and a college campus where there will be free live broadcasts of the bout sponsored by a congressman and a school administration.

"I'll see to it I'll watch the fight live and not replay," excited office employee Irma Edaga told AA.

Free public viewing sponsored by politicians is also expected in several other cities in Mindanao, while the military is providing live screenings at all major camps around the archipelago as part of its morale and welfare program.

The army also love him. He entered the reserve force in April 27, 2006 as a sergeant and quickly rose through the ranks. These days he is also known as Lt. Colonel Emmanuel Pacquiao.

The Pacman has won an unprecedented eight world championships at different weight divisions, and when he fights, the country stops. 

Zamboanga streets have been left deserted as locals throng temporary arenas to watch him battle; police records show no crime in the whole archipelago during his encounters.

Elsewhere in the troubled south - which has been wracked by violence for decades - the army said they would hold a free public viewing of the fight in a Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) community in Isabela City - a stronghold of the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group.

The MNLF laid siege to Zamboanga in 2013 to register their opposition to a peace deal between fellow rebels and the government. Nearly 200 people died and over 120,000 were left homeless in the subsequent fighting.

Col. Rolly Bautista said such showings are the way to get the support of local MNLF members in the army's fight against the Abu Sayyaf.

Pacquiao's focus, however, does not solely lie on the ring.

Having amassed a fortune from boxing, he's invested huge amounts of money in politics. At 32 years old, he was elected to the Philippine House of Representatives and is expected to run for president once he retires from boxing.

Since starting his career as a fish port worker, he has dabbled in acting, singing, and is also listed as the head coach of basketball team Kia Sorento. Pacquiao was drafted onto the team in 2014, making him the oldest rookie, the shortest player, and the first dual-sport athlete in the league. 

But it’s in boxing where he excels. He is current World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion and ranked number three on the Ring pound-for-pound list.

He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2000s by the Boxing Writers Association of America, the World Boxing Council and WBO, is a three-time The Ring and BWAA "Fighter of the Year" and was long rated as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

Sunday's fight (05:00GMT, and 21:00 Saturday Las Vegas time) has been described as the most expensive in boxing history with up to $300 million at stake.

Promoters have said tickets would range from $1,500 in the upper reaches of Las Vegas' MGM Garden to $7,500 at ringside.