Local governments showing Pacquiao fight for free

Why pay when you can watch for free?

The city government of Malabon yesterday announced it is airing — through the facilities of local cable television network Skycable — the live coverage of the much awaited Pacquiao-Morales fight tomorrow free to the public.

Mayor Canuto Oreta yesterday said Malabon folk do not have to queue for high priced tickets, which should be sold out days or weeks earlier in the posh cinemas in the fun districts of Metro Manila.

The third and deciding fight between Manny Pacquiao and Mexico’s Erik Morales for the crown and the bragging rights as well will be shown in huge outdoor screens in two venues in the city.

The showdown dubbed "The Grand Finale" will be aired live at 8 a.m. tomorrow in the covered courts of Plaza Diwa in Barangay Tugatog and at the Plaza Hulo in Barangay Hulong Duhat, both in Malabon.

A sort of "front act" precedes the fight showing a brief account of the Oreta administration’s accomplishments, according to the city public information office.

Oreta assured the public that security in and around the venues will be taken care of by the police and will be augmented by the local barangay security force. Avid fans from neighboring Navotas and Caloocan City are expected to add to the local throng at the venues.

Pacquiao occupies a place in the collective consciousness or Malabon. He is, in fact, an "adopted son of Malabon," a title bestowed on him during the term of mayor Amado Vicencio, Cynthia Santos-Crisostomo, of the public information office, told The STAR yesterday.

Santos-Crisostomo said the people of Malabon have fond collective memories of Pacquiao — the rough, reed-thin teenager from General Santos City —who honed his skills as an amateur in the stables of boxing aficionado and construction businessman Leopoldo "Polding" Correa of Barangay Maysilo in the early 1990s.

Pacquiao slowly made a name for himself and showed world-caliber potentials in his fights in "Blow by Blow," a local program promoting local fights.

In Manila, the city government has also installed television screens for free public viewing.

Manila Sports Council chairman Arnold "Ali" Atienza said that apart from a big LED screen inside the San Andres Sports Complex and Civic Center, Ninoy Aquino Stadium and Rizal Coliseum, they would also put screens outside these venues.

"There would be a total of five screens. One inside each of the venue, the fourth would be posted outside the San Andres Sports Complex while the fifth screen would be placed between the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and Rizal Coliseum since they are just located near each other," said Atienza.

The San Andres Sports Complex can accommodate between 4,000 to 5,000 viewers, while the two other venues has a seating capacity of about 8,000 each.

"This would be the first time Manileños experience the fight live as it happens with no delays, no commercial and absolutely free," Atienza said. The show starts at 8 a.m.

Atienza added they have already begun distributing tickets for free. "Our priority would still be the residents of Manila who do not own a television set."

The "Pacquiao vs. Morales III: The Grand Finale" fight would be made available through the facilities of Solar All Access. The 12-round super featherweight bout would take place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The fight card of Brian Villoria vs. Omar Nino will kick off this Sunday’s boxing event.

Meanwhile, SM Manila and SM San Lazaro would be dedicating three and four of their cinemas, respectively, for the live telecast of the Pacquiao-Morales boxing bout. Tickets will be between P400 to P500.

The SM management said they have been selling tickets since Oct. 20 and some of their theaters were already sold out. They would start the feed at 8 a.m. so their clients would see even the preliminary fights. — With Evelyn Macairan