ALABEL, Sarangani, Philippines – The packed 3,000-seat capacity Alabel Municipal Gym here erupted in jubilation when the bell ended the 12-round fight dubbed as “The Event” – the showdown between boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Ghanaian Joshua Clottey, which was shown live via “free-per-view” yesterday courtesy of the People’s Champ Movement.
The crowd was generally upbeat about the fight’s outcome and betting was heavily in favor of Pacman, although the odds here were 10 to 1 that Pacquiao would knock out Clottey in seven rounds, and in Malapatan town, in 10 rounds.
Many bettors took up the wager and went home P3,000 to P300,000 richer.
There were some moments of anxiety and at one point, tension filled the air when Clottey proved to be a tough nut to crack.
But the prevailing mood was gaiety and good-natured ribbing among the crowd, especially when Pacquiao connected with his three, four, five-punch combinations that had Clottey on the ropes a number of times.
Jenny, a 27-year-old municipal worker, took time out to watch Pacquiao’s fight.
“Manny is so good. Thanks that he made it last to the last round so people were satisfied,” she said.
At 10:15 a.m., or about two hours before the fight started, Pacquiao called up PCM gubernatorial bet Juan Domino by mobile phone from the Cowboy Stadium in Dallas, Texas, and over the public-address system, assured the crowd: “Wag kayong magaala. Kayang-kaya ang kalaban.” (Don’t worry, I’ll beat my foe handily).
Then he thanked his followers for their unstinting support and promised not to let them down in their future endeavors.
Pacquiao’s unanimous win drew mixed reactions.
“Manny was well-prepared for the fight, but Clottey was clearly no pushover. He’s really tough,” said Domino.
For her part, Mayor Corazon Grafilo said Sunday’s victory would carry over to the May elections, making Pacquiao a sure winner over rival Roy Chiongbian.
The PCM also gave a free viewing of the fight in Apopong, General Santos City, and the towns of Glan and Kiamba in Sarangani, where Pacquiao is running for congressman under the PCM-Nacionalista Party alliance.
In General Santos City, Pacquiao’s townmates were overjoyed with his victory.
Pacquiao’s mother Dionisia said she was greatly relieved after her son was declared winner.
She said she already expected Clottey’s defeat not by a knockout because he is much bigger and older than her son.
Dionisia said she would prefer that her son retire from boxing.
“As soon as he arrives in GenSan, I will ask the whole family to discuss about his retirement,” she said.
Pacquiao’s father Rosalio would also like him to retire.
Meanwhile, President Arroyo joined the nation in celebrating Pacquiao’s victory.
“We take heart in Manny’s proven formula of unselfish patriotism and unyielding perseverance,” Mrs. Arroyo said in a statement.
“Through our unity and hard work, Manny again won for our country. This is also the path to victory of the Filipino people,” she added in Filipino.
Administration presidential bet Gilberto Teodoro also congratulated Pacquiao and said he showed to the world “what dizzying heights the Filipino can attain with the right mindset, discipline and faith in God.” — With Paolo Romero and John Paul Jubelag