Filipinos flock to back their man Manny
Macau title fight pulls in the local supporters and soccer's favourite son David Beckham
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.
