CEBU, Philippines - The Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey spectacle yesterday filled Jerry Jones' palace with star power and boxing fans.
When the night was over, the crowd of 50,994 , the third largest to see an indoor match in boxing history, had seen Manny Pacquiao retain his WBO welterweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Joshua Clottey.
"I was worried if there were a few people here for the fight," said Pacquiao, considered pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world. "Then I come out and I can't believe it."
For one, it was a crowd that had plenty of former and current Cowboys players in attendance, including Troy Aikman, Deion Sanders, Miles Austin, Ken Hamlin, Drew Pearson and Marion Barber.
Actor Robert Duvall attended the Friday weigh-in, the fight and the postfight news conference. "Celebrities come to this event as a notable example of why people go to events rather than watch them on television," Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said.
According to ABS-CBN news website, it was a happy scene at the locker room as family friends and Team Pacquaio took turns to greet the 7-division world champion.
His wife, Jinkee, gave him a big hug after kissing him. “Super galing. Amazing performance. Wala ka nang hihilingin pa. Siya ang the best in the world,” she was quoted as saying of her husband’s spectacular boxing achievement.
Duvall and Jones also visited Pacman. They were all praises for the Filipino superstar.
He said he was amazed by Pacquiao’s incredible performance. He hopes the pound-for-pound king can return to the Cowboys Stadium for another bout.
According to the report, the Filipino fight fans also enjoyed a different experience because they were awed by the huge Cowboys Stadium. The stadium’s HD screen even showed every punch from the ring.
Journey frontman Arnel Pineda, who sang the Philippine National Anthem, arrived at that venue early. He said he was thrilled to sing the “Lupang Hinirang.” (with reports from the wires)