Manny-Arnel 'brawl' tonite

It will be a question of power as Manny Pacquiao and Arnel Barotillo slug it out today for the World Boxing Council (WBC) International super-bantamweight crown and a crack at the world crown.

Pacquiao and Barotillo made the weight limit of 122 pounds yesterday at the Games and Amusements Board office with both fighters promising an abbreviated finish to the scheduled 12-round fight expected to draw in a full house crowd at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

President Joseph Estrada and other high-ranking government officials and Panama's greatest boxer of all time Roberto Duran's daughter Irichelle have been invited to grace the bout billed as Tapatan: Walang Atrasan, with Pagcor-Casino Filipino as presentor of the event supported by PCSO, SSS, AMA Computer College and Century Park.

"Wala na talagang atrasan ito," said the 21-year-old Pacquiao, the sentimental favorite who's coming into the fight with a 27-2-0 (win-loss-draw) record spiked with 18 knockouts, including a second round stoppage of Rey Jamili last December.

But Barotillo, who packs a 22-9-3 card with 15 stoppages, is unfazed by his rivals' credentials as he vowed to prove he is a worthy challenger.

"I am very confident of taking the title away from him," said the 25-year-old, Catanduanes-born Sydney-based Barotillo, who will be given instructions by Australian manager-trainer Mark Pitts.

Observers note that since Pacquaio and Barotillo are sluggers who hate to stick and run, a victory on points is now out of the question, thus pointing to a knockout by the more powerful, stylish fighter.

New Zealand's Bruce McTavish will be the referee-judge, while American Gene del Bianco of the US and David Chung of Korea are the two other judges. The fight supervisor is GAB chair Dominador Cepeda.

Tickets priced at P100 (general admission), P200 (upper box), P400 (lower box) and P1,000 (premium ringside) are available at Retro Bar (374-3431/373-4805), Elorde Sports Center (541-9398/825-7229) and at the fight venue today.

In other bouts, Fernando Sagrado stakes his Pan Asia welterweight belt against Guam's Phil Clarrson; Baby Lorona defends his Philippine featherweight title against Jaime Barcelona; while Dino Olivetti puts his Philipine super-bantamweight crown on the line against Bobby Pacquiao.

Tapatan Inc.'s Jay Sonza, who joined hands with Bebot Elorde in putting up tonight's event, had to shell out P1.2-million to guarantee that the Filipino fight fans enjoy the pre-fight program.

"We have put several extra cameras as well as two giant screens inside the arena," said Sonza. "After watching the show, Filipinos will realize that it can be done in the Philippines."